A population-based study of the epidemiology and clinical features of adults with acute myeloid leukemia in Algeria: report on behalf of the Algerian Acute Leukemia Study Group.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In Algeria, the incidence of hematologic malignancies has been difficult to estimate for many years. Today, many hematological centers, including 14 university hospitals, have been developed in the entire north and have useful epidemiological data pertinent to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We studied the incidence of AML and its subtypes, age distribution, geographic distribution and trends in the rate of diagnosis over the last 5 years in Algeria. Secondary goals were to study trends of referral of AML cases from various regions to specific centers to assess the needs for health infrastructure and change of current practices. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective analysis of nationwide survey of all adult cases of AML (>16 years) diagnosed between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2010. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A survey form was distributed to all departments of hematology at the 15 participating centers. RESULTS: The 1426 cases of AML diagnosed during the study period represented an annual incidence of 0.91/100000 persons with a male to female (M/F) ratio of 1:16 and a median age of 45 years (range, 16-82 years). Nationally, 20% of cases AML were diagnosed in the whole western region of the country, 47% in the central and 33% in the east. There was a trend of continuous increase in the rate with age and in the rate of diagnosis over the last 5 years. The most common subtype was M2, followed by M4 and M5. CONCLUSION: An overall increase in the number of AML patients diagnosed nationwide over the last five years indicates a need for additional health care resources including curative and therapy-intense strategies, such as stem cell transplant facilities to optimize outcome. The relatively younger age of patients compared to the Western countries may be due to the demographic composition of our population.

Fibrosarcoma congénito; tendencia a la regresión espontánea. A propósito de un caso / Congenital fibrosarcoma; tendency to spontaneous regression. Case report

El fibrosarcoma congénito es un tumor poco habitual, de localización predominante en extremidades, siendo más rara la localización axial. El diagnóstico y tratamiento son controvertidos, debido a la escasa casuística de que se dispone. En general, tiene poca tendencia a metastatizar a distancia, aunque la recurrencia local es frecuente. A pesar de ello el pronóstico es favorable, incluso tras resecciones quirúrgicas sin bordes libres que confirmen una exéresis completa. Presentamos el caso de un fibrosarcoma pericraneal congénito sobre región parietal izquierda, de 5 x 4 x 3,5 cm. Los estudios de tomografía axial computeriazada (TAC) y resonancia nuclear magnética (RMN) cerebrales, mostraron la existencia de una tumoración extracraneal que destruía tanto la tabla externa como la interna. Se practicó exéresis quirúrgica de la lesión, recubriendo el defecto con injertos cutáneos. La evolución fue satisfactoria, sin necesidad de prescribir tratamientos complementarios; no existe evidencia de recurrencia de la lesión al año de la intervención. Consideramos que dada la potencial capacidad de regresión de estos tumores, la exéresis quirúrgica es el tratamiento de elección, sin precisar actitudes extremadamente agresivas o mutilantes (AU)

Congenital or neonatal fibrosarcoma is a rare soft-tissue tumour, that tends to involve the extremities, although axial lesions have been reported. Because the tumour is so rare and clinical experience is lacking, both diagnosis and treatment are dificult. Despite its potencial for local recurrence, metastasis is rare and prognosis is good, even with tissue infiltration and lack of complete excision. We report the case of a congenital pericranial fibrosarcoma over parietal left area, approximately 5 x 4 x 3,5 cm. CT scan and MRN demostrated a soft tissue mass, with destruction of the outer and inner tables. After local excision, skin defect was covered with skin grafts. Without further treatment the patient was doing well with no evidence of recurrence after one year. Wide local excision without creating severe dysfunction is the treatment of choice. A multidisciplinary team approach for treatment of these infants is recommended (AU)

[Treatment of Hodgkin's disease by chemotherapy with MOPP alone. Long-term results]. / Traitement de la maladie de Hodgkin par chimiothérapie MOPP seule. Résultats à long terme.

Between 1967 and 1978, 152 Algerian patients (31 children and 121 adults) with Hodgkin's disease were treated with the mechlorethamine, vincristine, procarbazine, prednisone combination (MOPP) alone and without radiotherapy. They were separated without lymphography into limited stage (n = 37) and extensive (n = 115) stage. The high initial failure rate (54%) was principally due to inadequate symptomatic treatment and to the patients' low socio-economic status. The complete remission rate was 45% (54% for limited stages; 42% for extensive stages) and significantly higher in women (58%) than in men (37%). In 20/23 cases relapses occurred during the first 4 years of complete remission; however, the final relapse was observed during the 12th year of complete remission. The actuarial relapse rate at 15 years was 48%. The long-term (10-15 years) life expectancy was 31% overall and 70% in cases with complete remission. Prognosis was significantly better in patients with limited forms and/or without systemic symptoms.