[Waldenström's macroglobulinemia effectively treated with chronic daily oral administration of low-dose etoposide]

Gan To Kagaku Ryoho. 1998 Nov;25(13):2131-4.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

A 77-year-old woman with complaints of fever and systemic lymphadenopathy was admitted to our hospital on February 16, 1995. Serum IgM was elevated to 2,097 mg/dl. Lymph node biopsy showed diffuse infiltration with lymphoplasmacytoid cells. Thus, she was diagnosed as having Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. Considering her age and congestive heart failure, she was treated with oral administration of low-dose etoposide (25 mg/day). Splenomegaly and superficial lymphadenopathy disappeared after one course of therapy. Until her death due to pneumonia, complete remission continued for one year without any symptoms and adverse effects except for mild diarrhea. Low-dose etoposide therapy was considered to be well tolerated and useful for elderly patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Aged
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Etoposide / administration & dosage*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / drug therapy*
  • Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia / pathology

Substances

  • Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors
  • Etoposide