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- Title
Treatment of life-threatening head and neck infantile hemangiomas with subcutaneous injection of interferon-α.
- Authors
ZHOU Qin; ZHENG Jia-wei; YANG Xiu-juan; MAI Hua-ming
- Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of subcutaneous injection of interferon-a for life -- threatening infantile hemangiomas in the head and neck region. METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2009, subcutaneous injection of interferon-a was applied to 11 infants with alarming head and neck heamngiomas at a dose of 3 million IU/m² per day. The duration of therapy ranged from 2 to 3 months. Patients revisited every 3 weeks and the changes of tumor size, texture and color were monitored and recorded. RESULTS: Nine patients had medication for 3 months, 2 for 2 months. Nine patients (82%) had a reduction in mass of 95%, two patients (18%) had achieved a decrease in size of 50%. The overall response rate was 100%. The main side effects were fever (54.5%), diarrhea (18.2%) and anorexia (9.1%), which resolved after stopping medication. Contrary to Barlow et al, spastic diplegia was not encountered. No other serious adverse effect was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Interferon -a can be used as a first -line option for infantile alarming hemangiomas which are resistant to steroids or propranolol and that endanger proper functioning of the affected organ or patients' life. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(81070846).
- Subjects
HEMANGIOMAS; HEAD &; neck cancer; SUBCUTANEOUS infusions; INTERFERONS; DRUG side effects; PROPRANOLOL; THERAPEUTICS
- Publication
China Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 2011, Vol 9, Issue 2, p130
- ISSN
1672-3244
- Publication type
Article