title: The use of interferon alfa-2a for life-threatening hemangiomas.
abstract: Hemangiomas are the most common benign neoplasm in the neonatal period. While most small hemangiomas involute spontaneously, up to 20% may grow to a massive size and never completely involute. Massive hemangiomas are also frequently associated with life-threatening complications, such as airway obstruction, platelet trapping (Kasabach-Merritt syndrome), and high-output heart failure. The use of interferon alfa-2a for the treatment of massive hemangiomas not responsive to traditional therapy has recently been reported. We present the successful use of interferon alfa-2a in a series of five patients with massive hemangiomas complicated by airway compromise, congestive heart failure, need for tracheotomy, Kasabach-Merritt syndrome, and failure to thrive, despite traditional therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Irvine, USA.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: MacArthur
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Senders
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Katz
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D016534:Cardiac Output, High / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004211:Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins