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Splenectomy for thrombocytopenia in chronic granulocytic leukemia
Author(s) -
Canellos George P.,
Nordland James,
Carbone Paul P.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(197203)29:3<660::aid-cncr2820290319>3.0.co;2-e
Subject(s) - medicine , splenectomy , busulfan , platelet , chemotherapy , chronic granulocytic leukemia , gastroenterology , platelet transfusion , spleen , surgery , leukemia , cyclophosphamide
Splenectomy for thrombocytopenia was performed in 6 patients in the chronic phase of chronic granulocytic leukemia. The operation was performed after a prolonged thrombocytopenia, with hemorrhagic manifestations due to busulfan‐related myelosuppression unresponsive to corticosteroids and frequent platelet transfusions (2 patients), and the inability to control the clinical and hemato‐logic manifestations of the disease because of inordinate platelet sensitivity to chemotherapy (4 patients). There was an immediate postoperative rise in platelet count in all 6 patients which was sustained in 5 patients. The rise was rapid in 3 cases. Spleen size did not correlate with the extent of postoperative recovery. In 5 patients with bleeding and thrombocytopenia, no further hemorrhagic problems or platelet transfusions were required as long as they remained in the chronic phase of CGL. Hydroxyurea was a useful drug to control CGL in patients markedly sensitive to the thrombocytopenic effects of busulfan.