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  • Title: Successful management of an infant with a giant hemangioma of the retroperitoneum and Kasabach-Merritt syndrome with alpha-interferon.
    Author: Hatley RM, Sabio H, Howell CG, Flickinger F, Parrish RA.
    Journal: J Pediatr Surg; 1993 Oct; 28(10):1356-7; discussion 1358-9. PubMed ID: 8263701.
    Abstract:
    Giant vascular neoplasms in neonates generally require aggressive medical or surgical therapy for treatment of complications. Steroids, chemotherapy, embolization, radiation, and surgery have all been used with short-term beneficial and sometimes unknown long-term side effects. A new modality of treatment, alpha-interferon, has recently been described. The majority of hemangiomas in children involute by 8 years of age. Occasionally, hemangiomas can endanger vital structures and are associated with a consumption coagulopathy and thrombocytopenia (Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome). These hemangiomas occasionally do not respond to steroids, radiation therapy, cytotoxic drugs, or embolization. The mortality rates approach 50% in nonresponders. Alpha-interferon has been used in these children with life-threatening complications of hemangiomas with relief of symptoms. This case illustrates the potential use of alpha-interferon in the management of giant hemangiomas in children. This emerging form of biological therapy avoids the risks of radiation therapy, embolization, and surgery with only minimal side effects.
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