Invasive fungal infection of the central nervous system in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia.

Background: Although the new intensive chemotherapeutic programs introduced recently into hematooncological therapies have led to a higher number of recoveries, persistent neutropenia favours the spread of severe infections, frequently fungal infections. Systemic fungal infections in patients treated for proliferative diseases of the hematopoietic system are characterised by a severe, progressing course and high morbidity.

Case Reports: We present a case report that demonstrates the diagnostic problem of lesions in the central nervous system which developed following the fourth block of chemotherapy in an eight-year-old boy treated for acute myeloid leukaemia.

[Can children with Hodgkin's disease be treated with chemotherapy only?].

Currently over 90% of children and adolescents with Hodgkin's disease (HD) can be cured thanks to use of multidrug chemotherapy (CT) combined with involved-field radiotherapy (IF-RT). However, the intensive treatment may increase the risk of late complications which may impair the patients' quality of life. In order to decrease the incidence of late complications the protocol with limited use of IF-RT was introduced in centers of Polish Pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma Study Group (PPLLSG).

Concomitant EBV-related B-cell proliferation and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia in a 2-year-old child.

We present a case of a 2-year-old girl, who developed concomitant EBV-related B-cell proliferation and juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML). JMML was initially not recognized because of predominant B-cell proliferation. The activating N-RAS mutation was retrospectively already detectable at this early stage.

[The health state evaluation in persons after therapy of Hodgkin's disease in childhood: report of the Polish Pediatric Leukemia/Lymphoma Study Group].

The introduction of modern methods of combined therapy: chemotherapy and radiotherapy, allows the cure more than 90% of children and adolescents with Hodgkin's disease. However, the intensive treatment may cause early and late complications. The late complications may include: damage of soft tissues and respiratory, cardiovascular, skeletal, and endocrine systems, and second cancers.

[Acute endophthalmitis of 15-year old boy in the course of acute lymphoblastic leukemia--part I].

Purpose: The aim of this study is to present dramatic ocular manifestation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Material And Methods: 15-year old boy was hospitalized due to acute leukemia at the Department and Clinic of Pediatric Hematology and was referred to ophthalmologist because of strong pain and decreased visual acuity of the left eye. General ophthalmic examination and electrophysiology were done.

[Leukapheresis in children with chronic myeloid leukemia and pulmonary leukostasis].

We present two patients with chronic myeloid leukemia and hyperleukocytosis above 350 x 10(9)/l causing the symptoms of pulmonary leukostasis. Therapeutic leukapheresis procedures with concomitant chemotherapy were initiated within 12 hours from the diagnosis. After the therapy commencement the general condition of the patients systematically improved and leukocytosis gradually decreased from the second day of treatment with disappearance of pulmonary leukostasis symptoms.

[Langerhans cell histiocytosis in a child with congenital neutropenia].

Congenital neutropenia predisposes to the development of haematopoetic malignancies. We present a 3,5-year child, diagnosed with congenital neutropenia at the age of I month. The diagnosis was based on peripheral blood and bone marrow aspirate analyses, performed after the treatment of multiple axillar abscesses.

[Sudden blindness of 11-year old boy in the course of acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

Purpose: The aim of this study is to present dramatic ocular manifestation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Material And Methods: The 11 years old boy was hospitalized due to acute leukemia at the Department and Clinic of Pediatric Hematology, and was referred to ophthalmic examination because of sudden blindness of the right eye. General ophthalmic examination and electrophysiological tests were done.

Concentration of IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-alpha in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia after cessation of chemotherapy.

The immunosuppressive effect of cytotoxic drugs, basic therapeutic agents in the treatment of childhood acute leukemias, requires monitoring of the immune system following cessation of therapy. The cytokines are soluble proteins that play a key role in the immunoregulation of the lymphocyte function. The cytokines regulate growth, differentiation and function of various cells in normal conditions.