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Successful low‐dose radiotherapy treatment for Kasabach–Merritt syndrome
Author(s) -
Yamamoto Shohei,
Akiyama Kosuke,
Kaneko Ryota,
Hayashi Mayumi,
Toyama Daisuke,
Isoyama Keiichi
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
pediatrics international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.49
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-200X
pISSN - 1328-8067
DOI - 10.1111/ped.13083
Subject(s) - medicine , kasabach–merritt syndrome , radiation therapy , hemangioma , coagulopathy , vincristine , malignancy , consumptive coagulopathy , surgery , chemotherapy , cyclophosphamide
Kasabach–Merritt syndrome ( KMS ) is characterized by hemangioma associated with life‐threatening thrombocytopenia, and is a consumptive coagulopathy. Although treatments available include corticosteroids, α‐interferon, vincristine, and surgery, response may be unsatisfactory, and the mortality rate remains at approximately 30%. Although radiotherapy has been used effectively for KMS , it may cause growth retardation and secondary malignancy. We report a case of KMS in which hemangioma of the left thigh was successfully treated with low‐dose radiotherapy (6 Gy in six fractions, weekly) after failure of corticosteroid therapy. No significant late effects due to the radiotherapy were noted at 5 year follow up. Thus, low‐dose radiotherapy remains an important treatment method for KMS when patients fail to respond to other treatments.