A comparison between erythrocytapheresis and venesection for the treatment of JAK2-mutated polycythaemia.

Background: JAK2-mutated polycythaemia vera (PV) is associated with reduced survival because of thrombotic events and haematological disease transformation. Therapeutic venesection has traditionally been used to lower haematocrit, but the technique of erythrocytapheresis has emerged over the last decade.

Aim: To compare erythrocytapheresis with venesection as treatment for PV by assessing medical efficacy and financial viability.

A comprehensive study of the epidemiology of haematological malignancies in North Queensland.

Background: There is an absence of clinically relevant epidemiological data in regional Australia pertaining to haematological malignancies.

Aim: To determine the incidence and geographical variation of haematological malignancies in North Queensland using a clinically appropriate disease classification.

Methods: Retrospective, observational study of individual patient data records of all adults diagnosed with a haematological malignancy between 2005 and 2014 and residing within The Townsville Hospital Haematology catchment region.

Characteristics and outcome of patients with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma following front-line escalated BEACOPP-based chemotherapy: a report from the Australasian Lymphoma Alliance.

The optimal management of the small number of patients who experience early failure of eBEACOPP in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is unclear. We identified 12 patients with HL who progressed within 12 months of the front-line therapy between January 2010 and July 2019. Median time of first progression following diagnosis was 7 months (range 2.

A 14-year retrospective analysis of indications and outcomes of autologous haemopoietic stem cell transplantation in regional Queensland: a single-centre experience.

Background: The Townsville Hospital is a tertiary hospital in North Queensland with one of the largest regional transplant centres in Australia, performing primarily autologous haemopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT) for various haematological malignancies.

Aims: This single-centre, retrospective, observational study aims to describe the activity and outcomes of autologous HSCT at The Townsville Hospital between 2003 and 2017 to verify safety standards.

Methods: Patient-level data were collected, including demographics, frequency and indication for transplant, conditioning, current clinical status and cause of death.

Outcomes of stage I/II follicular lymphoma in the PET era: an international study from the Australian Lymphoma Alliance.

Management practices in early-stage (I/II) follicular lymphoma (FL) are variable and include radiation (RT), systemic therapy, or combined modality therapy (CMT). There is a paucity of data regarding maintenance rituximab in this cohort. We conducted an international retrospective study of patients with newly diagnosed early-stage FL staged with positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography and bone marrow biopsy.

A retrospective analysis of the prevalence and clinical outcomes of vitamin D deficiency in myeloma patients in tropical Australia.

Purpose: The aim of this descriptive study was to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients on active therapy for multiple myeloma in a tropical climate. We also tested for the association of vitamin D status on clinical outcomes.

Methods: This was a single centre, observational study performed in Townsville, Australia, which has a sunlight heavy, tropical climate.

Development of acquired haemophilia A in a patient treated with alemtuzumab for multiple sclerosis.

This case illustrates a 36-year-old man who presented with a factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitor (acquired haemophilia A) with cutaneous bleeding and a significant thigh haematoma. No traditional risk factors for the development of a FVIII inhibitor were identified. However, previous treatment with alemtuzumab for multiple sclerosis was noted in the patient's history.