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.

[The incidence and treatment of the first relapse in children with Hodgkin's disease].

From January 1988, to December 1997, among 447 children with Hodgkin's disease (HD) who underwent initial treatment in seven centres of the Polish Paediatric Leukaemia/Lymphoma Study Group, 442 patients obtained a complete remission (CR). The initial treatment consisted of multidrug chemotherapy (B-DOPA and MVPP) combined with local radiotherapy. Relapses occurred in 35 cases (7,9%).

[Extramedullary (bone) relapse 16 months after allo bmt in a 7-year-old girl treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia from the second year of life].

7-year-old girl treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia since June 1995 after marrow relapse (June 1997) presented with painful oedema of the upper part of left hip and limping, 16 months after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Bone marrow examination excluded medullary relapse. Histopathological investigation of periosteum and bone scrapings revealed massive leukemic infiltration.

[Treatment regimen for children and adolescents with Hodgkin's disease designed to decrease late complications of radiotherapy].

Between 1997 to 1999 in 9 centres of the Polish Paediatlic Leukemia/Lymphoma Study Group, 167 children and adolescents (aged 2-19 years) with stage 1 to IV Hodgkin's disease (HD) were treated according to a regimen with a limited use of radiotherapy (RT). All patients received B-DOPA and MVPP chemotherapy. The number of cycles of chemotherapy was adjusted in respective risk groups.

[Lateral cervical cyst in 13-year-old girl].

We present a clinical description of a 13-year-old girl with lateral cervical cyst. We particularly emphasize the need for ultrasonographic examination during routine diagnostics of so-called cervical tumors.

[Evaluation of cochlear function by means of otoacoustic emission in children treated with cytostatic drugs in the course of bone marrow proliferative diseases].

The aim of study was cochlear function estimation by means otoacoustic emission in children treated by leukaemia cytostatic drugs in course of the bone marrow proliferative diseases. The children after treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia or nongranulomatic malignant lymphoma according to BFM programme were examined in this study. Audiologic examination of children included tonal audiometry, tympanometry and otoacoustic emission as well.

[The problem of blood transfusion ++ in Jehova's Witnesses' children with oncological disease].

We present 2 cases of Jehovah's Witnesses' children suffering from oncological diseases (non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia). During their treatment we used erythropoietin and no blood products were transfused.

[Acute renal insufficiency as the first symptom of malignant lymphoma in children].

Acute renal insufficiency in children with malignant lymphoma may be the first symptom of illness. Intensive care with hemodialysis is the therapy of choice. It allows to eliminate the increased volume of liquid, toxins, continuing diagnostic and beginning chemotherapy.

[Tumor lysis syndrome in the course of neoplastic disease of hematopoietic system in children].

Tumor lysis syndrome is characterized by hyperuricemia, hyperkalemia and hyperphosphatemia followed by hypocalcemia. Sometimes they are accompanied by hyperglycemia. It can lead to acute renal insufficiency, neurological and cardiological disorders.

[Acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children with Fanconi anemia].

Fanconi anaemia (FA) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. Manifestation of the disease is pleomorphic and may include many congenital malformations and marrow aplasia. Congenital disorders include: skeletal abnormalities, hypo- or hyperpigmentation of the skin, renal or heart anomalies and many others.

[Ultrasonographic evaluation of thyroid in patients cured from Hodgkin disease].

Long-term prognosis in patients cured from Hodgkin's disease (HD), diagnosed in childhood has dramatically improved. This is why, early detection and elimination of treatment side-effects has become essential. The study aimed at thyroid morphology evaluation in 46 patients remaining in complete remission more than five years after completion of treatment for HD.

[Does residual mediastinal mass in children with completed treatment of Hodgkin's disease affect the incidence of relapses?].

Four hundred and four children with Hodgkin's disease (stage I-IV) were treated in seven cooperating centers of Polish Paediatric Leukaemia/Lymphoma Study Group between 1988 and 1996. Mediastinal masses and/or hilar involvement were found in 261 (65%) patients. Remission was obtained in 256 (98%) of this group.

Childhood stage IV Hodgkin disease: therapeutic results of the Polish pediatric leukemia/lymphoma study group.

Background: The therapeutic management in patients with stage IV Hodgkin disease is still controversial.

Procedure: Among 783 children with Hodgkin disease treated from 1971 to 1996, 56 patients (7.3%) were diagnosed with stage IV.

[Non-Hodgkin gastric lymphoma in a 14-year-old boy].

Lymphomas of the gastrointestinal tract in children are localized most often in the ileocoecal region. We described a rare case of gastric lymphoma in 14-year-old boy.