title: [Systemic mastocytosis. Classification, symptoms, therapy].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Systemic mastocytoses are a group of diseases, which are characterized by accumulation and unusual growth of mast cells infiltrating two different organs or types of tissue. Two case reports are introduced.
  
  
  METHODS
  According to the new WHO classification of 2000, mastocytoses are separated into cutaneous and systemic mastocytoses. Systemic mastocytosis is subdivided into an indolent course with good prognosis and four subgroups with poor prognosis (systemic mastocytosis with associated clonal hematologic non-mast-cell disease, aggressive systemic mastocytosis, mast cell leukemia, and mast cell sarcoma).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Systemic mastocytoses are clonal disorders of mast cells and their progenitor cells, which may show point mutations of the protooncogene c-kit. This gene codes for the stem cell receptor (CD117).
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapy of systemic mastocytosis depends on patient's symptoms. There is no known cure of the disease. Besides diet and avoidance of skin irritations, symptoms are treated with H(1)- or H(2)-blockers, steroids, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and PUVA therapy. If patients suffer from systemic reactions such as hypotension or syncope, epinephrine solution should be prescribed for emergency use.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Poliklinik der Universität Würzburg, Würzburg. kraemer_d@klinik.uniwuerzburg.de
authors.forename: Doris M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Kraemer
authors.forename: Susanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Grunewald
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kolb-Mäurer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000473:pathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004115:Dimethindene / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D034721:Mastocytosis, Systemic / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D011379:Prognosis; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000235:genetics; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D004115:Dimethindene; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit; D004837:Epinephrine