Osteosarcoma associated with diamond-blackfan anaemia: a case of a child receiving growth hormone therapy.
OBJECTIVE
Diamond-Blackfan anaemia (DBA) is a rare pure congenital red cell aplasia, usually presenting in infancy or early childhood. The literature suggests a predisposition to haemopoietic malignancy but in addition solid tumours have been reported, with five cases of osteosarcoma described.


METHODS
A sixth case of a 12-year-old girl with DBA who developed an osteosarcoma of the distal femur is presented.


RESULTS
She was treated with methotrexate followed by tumour excision and distal femoral replacement. The patient is currently alive with multiple pulmonary metastases.


CONCLUSIONS
We discuss the association between the administration of growth hormone and future development of malignancy in patients with DBA.
Lee
Robert S
RS
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust Brockley Hill Stanmore Middx HA7 4LP UK.
Higgs
Deborah
D
Haddo
Omar
O
Pringle
Jean
J
Briggs
Timothy W R
TW