PANCYTOPENIA AS INITIAL PRESENTATION OF ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA AND ITS ASSOCIATIONWITH BONE MARROWRESPONSE

Objective:The objective of this study is to determine the frequency of pancytopenia and bone marrow response to treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Materials And Methods:This is a cross sectional study carried out at Medical Oncology Department, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. A total of 120 patients were included in the study. Venous blood sample was obtained from patients and sent to the laboratory of the hospital for assessment of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Reports were assessed and levels were noted. If levels were lower than normal, then patients were labeled as having pancytopenia was labeled.Patients were advised treatment i.e drug regimen including weekly intravenous vincristine, daunorubicin, weekly intrathecal methotrexate and daily dexamethosone for 4 weeks). After 4 weeks they underwent bone marrow aspiration. All samples were sent to the laboratory of the hospital for assessment of bone marrow response i.e M1 (less than 5% lymphoblasts), M2 (5% to 25% Lymphoblasts)& M3 (more than 25% Lymphoblasts). Results:Pancytopenia was recorded in 35 (29.16%) patients presenting with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Out of these thirty-five pa