Hydroxyurea as a first-line treatment of extramedullary hematopoiesis in patients with beta thalassemia: Four case reports.
OBJECTIVE
Extramedullary hematopoiesis (EMH) is evidenced by erythropoietic masses, which occurs as a compensatory mechanism to overcome hypoxia during chronic anemia. EMH masses in spinal cord could lead to cord compression and neurological symptoms. Besides transfusion, radiotherapy, and surgery, hydroxyurea (HU) is also a treatment strategy in EMH.


METHODS
We described four cases of beta thalassemia with EMH who were treated with HU as a monotherapy. INTERVENTION (AND TECHNIQUE): HU therapy was done in all patients without any transfusion during therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
HU is a good treatment option for patients with EMH and it could be a substitute for radiotherapy and invasive surgery or regular blood transfusion.
Mehran
M
Karimi
Nader
N
Cohan
Parisa
P
Pishdad
D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006411:Hematopoiesis, Extramedullary / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006918:Hydroxyurea / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D055815:Young Adult; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006918:Hydroxyurea
Chronic anemia; Extramedullary hematopoiesis; Hydroxyurea; Thalassemia