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Anemia, which is a common problem in cancer patients, has a negative effect on survival by decreasing the efficacy of chemotherapy and particularly of radiotherapy, as well as impairing the quality of life (QoL) of patients. Recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) decreases a patient's need for transfusions and increases their QoL. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of weekly single-dose EPO treatment on transfusion rates, QoL, and hemoglobin (Hb) levels. In addition, patients were followed up for a long period to assess the impact of EPO treatment on survival. The study was conducted from December 2001 to December 2002 in patients with newly diagnosed lymphoma or solid tumors using a prospective and controlled design. EPO-beta was given as a single dose of 450 U/kg once a week for 12 weeks. The study and control groups included 16 patients each. Hb levels measured in the study group at the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks were significantly higher than the values recorded before the start of chemotherapy. In the control group, Hb levels post chemotherapy were significantly lower than values recorded prior to treatment. The increased Hb levels in the study group were significant at the 8th and 12th weeks of treatment compared to levels measured prior to treatment. In the control group, Hb levels at the 4th and 8th weeks were significantly lower than pretreatment levels. When the percent increase of Hb levels of the study and control groups with respect to treatment week was compared, the difference was statistically significant at the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks. Although the increase on the performance scale within each group during treatment was significant in both the study and control groups, the increase was more marked in the study group. The percent increase on the performance scale with respect to week of treatment was higher in the study group than in the control group. In EPO treatment group, side effects were seen in 38% of patients, with 19% being local pain in the injection area, 13% local hyperemia, and 6% headache. The mean follow-up period of the study and control group was 7.03 +/- 0.41 (6.0-7.41) and 7.46 +/- 0.45 (6.58-7.83) years, respectively; no statistically significant difference existed between these figures. Overall survival at the end of 7 years of follow-up was 68.8% and 81.3% for the study and control groups, respectively. The use of EPO-beta in lymphoma and solid tumor patients on a once-weekly regimen (450 U/kg) was determined to be effective in increasing Hb levels, decreasing transfusion rates, and improving QoL. This regimen was safe, did not cause serious side effects, and can be recommended because of its high patient compliance and tolerability. An effect of EPO on prognosis was not evident. We could not have an explanation on the effect of EPO treatment on prognosis, as there were low number of patients and advanced-staged patients died earlier. Therefore, a larger number of patients are needed to clarify the effect of EPO treatment on prognosis.

Objective: Post-treatment endocrine disturbances are common in cancer patients who have received radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the thyroid functions of long-term survivors of pediatric Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Methods: Thyroid functions of 55 Hodgkin's lymphoma patients (M/F:2.05/1) in complete remission were evaluated retrospectively. Results: The mean age of the patients at diagnosis was 10.35 +/- 4.09 (range: 2.83-17) years and the mean follow-up period was 5.54 +/- 3.68 (range: 0.92-13.92) years. All patients received chemotherapy; a total of 50 patients (90.9%) underwent radiotherapy, 42 (76.4%) of whom received neck/mantle radiotherapy. Thyroid function tests were abnormal in 14 (24.5%) patients and normal - in the remaining 41 (74.5%). A diagnosis of subclinical and overt hypothyroidism was made in 11 (78.6%) and 3 (21.4%) patients with abnormal thyroid function tests, respectively. Nearly one-fourth (21.4%) of all thyroid function disorders were detected in the first year of follow-up. A statistically significant correlation was found between the dose of mantle radiotherapy and thyroid function disorder (p=0.002). In addition, statistically significant correlations were established between thyroid examination or thyroid ultrasonography findings and thyroid functions (p

Some children with malignancies initially present with neurologic signs. Cavernous sinus syndrome is a rare manifestation of lymphomas, more commonly reported in adults. A patient presenting with third and fourth cranial nerve palsies was initially thought to manifest Tolosa-Hunt syndrome, but during follow-up a diagnosis of lymphoma without systemic involvement was established. This patient is the youngest, to our knowledge, to be diagnosed with primary cavernous sinus lymphoma. He remains in remission 5 years after chemotherapy. Malignancies (especially non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) should be considered in young children with cavernous sinus syndrome, even without systemic involvement.

Background. There is a risk of viral hepatitis for children with cancer. Both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in countries with high prevalence cause major problems in the management of cancer patients. in this study, we evaluated the incidence and chronicity of HBV and HCV infections in children with malignant diseases receiving chemotherapy. Procedure. One hundred ninety-eight children with cancer (mean age=7.5 +/- 2.5 years) and 100 healthy children as a control group were screened for HBV and HCV. Liver function tests, the number of transfusions, HBV and HCV serology were regularly monitored. In seropositive children, HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA were measured. Chronic hepatitis was defined as having an alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level three times of upper normal limit, positive HBV and HCV antigenemia for longer than 6 months. Liver biopsies were performed in all children with chronic hepatitis. The relationship between the chronic hepatitis and study parameters was statistically analyzed. Results. HBsAg positivity, anti-HCV, and mixed (HBV and HCV) infection were found in 11.6, 5.5, 2% of children, respectively. Most HBV infected children developed chronic hepatitis (48%) while 26 and 21.7% became carriers and immune, respectively. One died of acute fulminant HBV hepatitis. Of HCV infected children, 63.6% also had positive HCV-RNA. Four children with mixed infection (100%) all progressed to chronic hepatitis. In this setting, chronic hepatitis was observed in 22 of 38 infected children (57.8%). The majority had leukemia and lymphoma. Children with HBsAg antigenemia developed chronic hepatitis in shorter time than HCV positive children (median 13 months vs. 51 months, P