Experts: Widen scope in eyeing leukemia cases

Friday, March 9, 2001 | 12:07 p.m.

A panel of experts has provided the Nevada State Health Division with recommendations as the study of 12 childhood leukemia cases in Fallon continues.

After reviewing the state's preliminary investigation results, the panel called for state and federal scientists to expand the search for more cases, classify all observed childhood leukemia cases, identify potential environmental exposure routes for each affected family and collect biologic specimens, such as blood samples for further investigation.

In addition, the experts suggested studying the population of Fallon, 60 miles east of Reno, and keeping the expert panel to review the findings of investigators.

The panel included state health officer Dr. Mary Guinan, state epidemiologist Randall Todd, University of Minnesota Cancer Center researcher Dr. Leslie Robison, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expert Dr. Thomas Sinks, University of California, Berkeley's Dr. Allan Smith and the National Cancer Institute's Dr. Malcolm Smith.

Nevada representatives were Dr. L.D. Brown, director of the Nevada State Health Laboratory, and Dr. Burton A. Dudding, professor of behavioral pediatric and adolescent medicine at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno.