title: Intermittent melphalan in the treatment of essential thrombocytosis with haemorrhage or thrombosis.
abstract: 178 episodes of essential thrombocytosis with symptoms of haemorrhage or thrombosis, were treated in 15 patients with melphalan (5 mg/m2 orally during 4 d). An average reduction in the platelet count of 77% was achieved by oral melphalan in 14 responding patients. 1 patient appeared to be refractory to oral therapy, but a decrease of the thrombocyte count was achieved after intravenous administration of melphalan. All responding patients experienced a relief of the thrombocytosis-associated clinical symptoms. Reduction of the thrombocyte count persisted for 3-4 wk.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013920:Thrombocythemia, Essential / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013922:Thrombocytosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D008558:Melphalan