Simultaneous occurrence of large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and acute myeloid leukaemia in an elderly patient: complete remissions of both diseases by rituximab-bendamustine regimen combined to hypomethylating therapy.

The case of an elderly and frail patient affected by simultaneous large B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and acute myeloid leukaemia is reported. The complete remissions of both diseases by azacitidine and rituximab-bendamustine regimen were achieved.

Managing myelodysplastic syndromes in very old patients: a teaching case report.

The introduction of hypomethylating agents in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) has significantly changed the clinical scenario of these diseases, which afflict predominantly older individuals. However, some concerns regarding the optimal application of these innovative and costly agents in the treatment of geriatric high-risk MDS remain. We report here the case of a nonagenarian treated with hypomethylating agents achieving a long-lasting clinical response and a significant improvement in her functional status. Our case confirmed that functional status and biological status, rather than the chronological age alone, can substantially guide the plan of an appropriate treatment strategy in high-risk MDS patients; moreover, the current case emphasizes the need for targeted studies in the field of geriatric MDS in order to formulate guidelines on the appropriate use of these costly agents, so that candidate patients can receive adequate treatment to preserve their quality of life and life expectancy, but at the same time avoiding unnecessary costs deriving from the use of high-cost drugs for those in whom a significant therapeutic result cannot be reasonably expected.

Transfusions at home in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.

We report descriptive data of a home care (HC) program, throughout a 5-years period (2006-2010), focusing on the reliability and the safety of transfusions at home in 211 patients affected by myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Our results outline the potentially relevant role of a specifically dedicated HC service in the global management of frail MDS patients for which transfusions at home may represent a valuable option to maintain a good quality of life and avoid the possible discomfort due to hospital admissions and outpatient visits.

Anticoagulant and Anti-thrombotic Treatments in the Management of Hematological Malignancies in a Home Care Program.

AIM: Anticoagulants (AC) and anti-platelet (AP) agents are widely administered to patients with hematological malignancies (HM). However, HM patients may be at high risk of bleeding and hemorrhagic complications, because of different form of coagulopathies and several degrees of thrombocytopenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective evaluation of the use of anticoagulant and anti-thrombotic agents as well as of bleeding and thrombotic complications in a consecutive cohort of patients, which were followed during the first semester of 2010 by our home care service, was performed. In this regard, three pharmacological class of agents, such as oral anticoagulants (warfarin and acenocumarine), low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and anti-platelet (AP) drugs were considered. RESULTS: Out of 129 patients, 26 (20%) were treated with AC/AP drugs. Warfarin, acenocumarine, LMWH as well as AP were used in 7, 11 and 12 patients, respectively. Adverse events (bleeding) were observed in 3 patients (11.5%), 2 cases being on warfarin (replaced by LMWH) and 1 being AP (suspension without replacement); out of the 3 patients with bleeding, none presented thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the frequent findings of hemostatic disorders in a population of frail patients managed in a home care setting, our experience demonstrated that the use of AC/AP drugs has been very rarely responsible for significant complications.