AI Summary & Key Takeaways
AI InsightThese findings characterize the presenting profile of leukemia and lymphoma and highlight the risk of laboratory-based false reassurance.
📌 3 Key Takeaways
Abstract
Aims: Childhood leukemia and lymphoma may present with overlapping nonspecific symptoms, yet their initial laboratory profiles can differ substantially. Pediatric lymphoma, in particular, may present without cytopenia and with normal lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), potentially creating false reassurance. Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center cohort study of 81 patients diagnosed with leukemia (n=49; B-ALL 28, T-ALL 7, AML 14) or lymphoma (n=32; NHL 17, Hodgkin lymphoma 15) between January 2024 and January 2026 at a tertiary pediatric hematology–oncology center. Clinical and laboratory findings were compared using Fisher’s exact and Mann–Whitney U tests. The primary analysis compared the prevalence of a laboratory-reassuring profile, defined as simultaneous absence of cytopenia and LDH ≤300 U/L. Results: The laboratory-reassuring profile was present in 16 of 32 lymphoma patients (50%) and in none of the 49 leukemia patients (0%; p 14 days. Leukemia showed higher frequencies of ecchymosis, bone or limb pain, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and neutropenia (all p<0.001). Conclusion: The absence of cytopenia, assessed using age-appropriate thresholds, together with normal LDH does not exclude lymphoma in children. Unexplained or persistent lymphadenopathy and symptoms persisting beyond two weeks should prompt referral despite normal indices. These findings characterize the presenting profile of leukemia and lymphoma and highlight the risk of laboratory-based false reassurance.