Adverse histopathologic effects of chemotherapeutic agents in childhood leukemia and lymphoma.

Pathologic material from 84 children with leukemia or lymphoma who died and were autopsied at the University of Wisconsin Hospital between 1967 and 1980 was reviewed to assess the adverse tissue changes due to the chemotherapy administered. In each case the histopathologic findings were correlated with the chemotherapy given. Individual drug dosage is administered (per m2) correlated with the adverse tissue findings at autopsy. Data presented suggest that the drug dose administered should be correlated not only with tumor response but also with tissue effects (some of which produce no noticeable, immediate, clinically apparent changes) to decrease the likelihood of producing irreversible tissue changes.