Pediatric hematology and oncology
-
Pediatr Hematol Oncol · May 1999
Treatment of pediatric B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas at the Motol Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic: results based on the NHL BFM 90 protocols.
Malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) of childhood and adolescence are a heterogeneous group of diseases originating from the lymphoid cells. Unlike adults with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, children typically have extranodal disseminated disease of high grade (Burkitt's lymphoma, large cell lymphoma, or lymphoblastic lymphoma). This study was conducted to determine the feasibility of treating children in the Czech Republic with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas according to very intensive protocols based on the German Berlin Frankfurt Munster (BFM) NHL 90 study. ⋯ Treatment results were not identical between NHL subtypes, with large cell lymphoma patients doing significantly better (pEFS 90%, p = .008). The use of protocols based on BFM 90 study was feasible at this center. The treatment results are approximately 10% lower than those reported by BFM investigators, but comparable to results from other centers.
-
Pediatr Hematol Oncol · May 1999
Clinical TrialEffect of hydroxyurea in sickle cell anemia: a clinical trial in children and teenagers with severe sickle cell anemia and sickle cell beta-thalassemia.
This study evaluated the efficacy of hydroxyurea treatment in the prevention of vaso-occlusive crises among children and teenagers with severe sickle cell anemia and sickle cell beta-thalassemia. Nineteen children and young adults with severe sickle cell disease were enrolled to the hydroxyurea treatment trial. The incidence of vaso-occlusive crises, acute chest syndrome, hemolytic crises, splenic sequestration episodes, blood transfusions, and hospital days in the 2 years before hydroxyurea (HU) treatment were compared with the same parameters in the first 2 years of treatment. ⋯ A decrease in the frequency of vaso-occlusive crises, acute chest syndrome, hemolytic crises, blood transfusions, and days spent in the hospital was demonstrated during the HU treatment period compared to the same period before. The clinical and laboratory response to HU was dramatic in severely affected sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients. The response to HU in children and teenagers with severe sickle cell anemia is similar to the response in adults, and no severe adverse effects were observed.