Interferon-alpha in the treatment of high-risk haemangiomas in infants.
BACKGROUND
Haemangiomas are benign tumours that may occasionally compress vital structures, or cause consumptive coagulopathy and heart failure. We describe our recent experience with interferon-alpha as a treatment modality for high-risk haemangiomas.


METHODS
Eight children with high-risk haemangiomas were treated with interferon-alpha, six of which had failed previous steroid therapy.


RESULTS
Seven children responded to interferon therapy, one boy with a liver haemangioma died. Mild leucopenia and granulocytopenia were observed in all treated patients. Neurotoxicity occurred in 3 patients and was the most frequent serious complication.


CONCLUSIONS
Interferon-alpha is an effective treatment modality for high-risk haemangiomas in children, especially in steroid-resistant patients. The most serious complication was early neurological toxicity.
Szymik-Kantorowicz
S
S
Department of Paediatric Surgery, Jagiellonian University Medical College, University Children's Hospital of Kraków, Kraków, Poland.
Kobylarz
K
K
Krysta
M
M
Górecki
W
W
Bysiek
A
A
Celmer
E
E
Dzierzega
M
M
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006391:Hemangioma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha