[Interferon treatment of giant hemangioma].
As many as 10% to 20% of patients with disseminated hemangiomas involving vital organs fail to respond to conventional treatment with steroids, radiotherapy, laser or cyclophosphamide. For the last years, interferon-alpha-2 has been successfully used to treat complicated giant hemangiomas, because of its ability to inhibit endothelial cell proliferation. We report the case of a 3-months-old infant presenting with a giant cervicofacial hemangioma with extension to the chest wall and larynx, causing episodes of severe respiratory distress. CT scan and MRI revealed a second vascular lesion measuring 24 x 16 mm in the liver. Initial treatment with corticosteroids (prednisolone at a dose of 1-3 mg/kg/daily) and endoscopic laser barely improved the symptoms and the patient presented more episodes of shortness of breath requiring admission to the ICU. Interferon therapy was started at a dose of 3 million units/m2/every other day and was continued for 9 months. At the completion of the therapy, there was complete regression of the hemangioma. Four months later, the patient is asymptomatic. No side-effects were presented for hyperthermia when the treatment was started resolved with antithermics. Blood tests were always within the normal range.
Castañón
M
M
Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica, Unidad Integrada Hospital Clínic-San Joan de Déu, Barcelona.
Mayol
J
J
Muñoz
M E
ME
Carrasco
R
R
Morales
L
L
D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins