Spindle cell (Kaposiform) hemangioendothelioma with Kasabach-Merritt syndrome in an infant: successful treatment with alpha-2A interferon

Med Pediatr Oncol. 1997 May;28(5):358-61. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1096-911x(199705)28:5<358::aid-mpo6>3.0.co;2-g.

Abstract

A two-month-old infant developed a vascular tumor of the right flank which upon biopsy proved to be a spindle cell hemangioendothelioma. The increased capillary bed characterizing the neoplasm caused a severe thrombocytopenia together with a consumption coagulopathy (Kasabach-Merritt syndrome). The patient, who was dependent on platelet transfusions, improved quickly after interferon alpha-2a was given at the dosage of 3,000,000 U/m2, with resolution of the Kasabach-Merritt syndrome after three weeks and a 75% decrease of the tumor volume within three months of treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Hemangioendothelioma / complications*
  • Hemangioendothelioma / diagnosis
  • Hemangioendothelioma / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use*
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Skin Neoplasms / complications*
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Syndrome
  • Thrombocytopenia / complications*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Recombinant Proteins