Spindle cell (Kaposiform) hemangioendothelioma with Kasabach-Merritt syndrome in an infant: successful treatment with alpha-2A interferon.
A two-month-old infant developed a vascular tumor of the right flank which upon biopsy proved to be a spindle cell hemangioendothelioma. The increased capillary bed characterizing the neoplasm caused a severe thrombocytopenia together with a consumption coagulopathy (Kasabach-Merritt syndrome). The patient, who was dependent on platelet transfusions, improved quickly after interferon alpha-2a was given at the dosage of 3,000,000 U/m2, with resolution of the Kasabach-Merritt syndrome after three weeks and a 75% decrease of the tumor volume within three months of treatment.
Deb
G
G
Department of Pediatric Oncology, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy.
Jenkner
A
A
De Sio
L
L
Boldrini
R
R
Bosman
C
C
Standoli
N
N
Donfrancesco
A
A
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006390:Hemangioendothelioma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013577:Syndrome; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000150:complications*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins