Two infants with life-threatening diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis treated with cyclophosphamide

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2006 Feb;46(2):239-42. doi: 10.1002/pbc.20522.

Abstract

Diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis (DNH) is a rare, frequently fatal disorder characterized by multiple cutaneous and visceral hemangiomas. Complications include high-output cardiac failure, hemorrhage, hepatic failure, and consumption coagulopathy. We present two cases of neonates with DNH. We prescribed cyclophosphamide after failure of corticosteroids. Cyclophosphamide induced a fast regression of the lesions with no side effects in both infants. We were able to stop treatment after 3-4 courses of cyclophosphamide in both infants because of the excellent response. Cyclophosphamide seems to be a safe and effective treatment in patients suffering from life-threatening DNH unresponsive to corticosteroids.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Angiomatosis / complications
  • Angiomatosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Angiomatosis / drug therapy*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / administration & dosage*
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage*
  • Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation / etiology
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
  • Female
  • Heart Diseases / etiology
  • Hemangioma / complications
  • Hemangioma / diagnostic imaging
  • Hemangioma / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Liver Neoplasms / complications
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Liver Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Radiography
  • Remission Induction
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Cyclophosphamide