Background:

At the 10th anniversary of the Hospital de Especialidades Pediátricas in Chiapas, Mexico, it was important to assess the 5-year acute leukemia overall survival under the Seguro Popular program (Popular Insurance).

Methods:

A descriptive and survival study of 210 acute leukemia patients diagnosed and treated during 2008-2012 was performed. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were developed for all patients, each leukemia type (B, T and myeloid) and for B type related to risk group, age, sex, leukocytes, cell markers, DNA index, karyotype, and translocations.

Results:

Age, gender and proportion of leukemia types (B = 85%; M = 10%; T = 5%), were similar to other parts of the country. At the end of the 5-year treatment, 20% of the patients were alive, 53% had died and 27% had abandoned the treatment. Global survival was 42% (B = 45%; T = 20%; M = 10%) (median: 38.8 months; confidence interval of 95% = 28.9-48.7). Very high-risk median survival was 7.7 versus 47 months. There was no difference between standard and high-risk groups. The initial leukocyte count < 50,000/µL and CD10 positive were related to better B survival; no other variables were related. At the time of death, 29% of patients were in remission.

Conclusions:

Global survival of acute leukemia at Hospital de Especialidades Pediátricas under the Seguro Popular during its first 5 years was surprisingly poor given the medical resources available through the insurance. Early mortality, death during remission and high desertion rates contributed to these results. A detailed revision of treatment protocols and reasons for abandoning treatment is mandatory.