Esophageal strictures during treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Esophageal stricture is a rare complication of paediatric cancer treatment that usually occurs after esophageal exposure to radiotherapy. We describe 4 cases of esophageal stricture during chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. All patients presented with refractory vomiting and were diagnosed with radiologic contrast studies. None of the patients had received radiotherapy. Esophageal candidiasis was seen in 2 patients but the remaining 2 patients had earlier systemic candidiasis. High-dose dexamethasone may predispose these children to both esophageal candidiasis and peptic esophagitis. The etiology of esophageal strictures during treatment for acute leukemia is likely to be multifactorial but systemic candidiasis may play a significant role.
Kelly
Kevin
K
Departments of Haematology, Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland. kevrkelly77@hotmail.com
Storey
Lorna
L
O' Sullivan
Maureen
M
Butler
Karina
K
McDermott
Michael
M
Corbally
Martin
M
McMahon
Corrina
C
Smith
Owen P
OP
O' Marcaigh
Aengus
A
D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003907:Dexamethasone