The use of interferon alfa-2a for life-threatening hemangiomas.
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.
MacArthur
C J
CJ
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Irvine, USA.
Senders
C W
CW
Katz
J
J
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
D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins