Lackner Herwig, Urban Christian, Sovinz Petra, Benesch Martin, Moser Andrea, Schwinger Wolfgang
Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 30, A-8036 Graz, Austria.
Haematologica. 2008 Feb;93(2):291-4. doi: 10.3324/haematol.11704.
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) during childhood cancer treatment is a rare adverse event posing major diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Between 1995 and 2006, 6 children developed HLH while on conventional chemotherapy (n=4) or after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (n=2). Treatment of HLH included dexamethasone and etoposide, 2 children additionally received infliximab or daclizumab. Three children survived, whereas 3 children died 2, 5, and 47 days after diagnosis of HLH. HLH is a severe adverse event of childhood cancer therapy. Early diagnosis and immediate initiation of adequate treatment are mandatory to overcome this severe condition.
