Toxocariasis simulating hepatic recurrence in a patient with Wilms' tumor.

We report the case of a 3-year-old girl with stage I Wilms' tumor of favorable histology. During the course of chemotherapy 5 months post-diagnosis, an abdominal ultrasonogram revealed hypoechoic areas consistent with hepatic tumor recurrence. A liver biopsy performed to rule out recurrence of the malignancy was suggestive of toxocariasis and the diagnosis was confirmed by serologic testing. Although the patient had few classic signs of visceral larva migrans, her eosinophilia and family social history should have suggested this possibility. This case demonstrates that hepatic toxocariasis should be considered in evaluating hepatic hypoechoic lesions in a child, even when features typical of the disease are absent.

[Acute leukemia as secondary neoplasms in children with advanced lymphomas]. / Leucemias agudas como neoplasias secundárias em crianças portadoras de linfomas avançados.

In 1985 a new treatment regimen for advanced non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was started in the "Instituto da Criança-HC-FMUSP". The final results are remarkably better than those achieved with former programs. Two cases of children who developed a second neoplasm after the therapy was completed are described and discussed.

[Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in childhood: results of treatment in patients in stage III]. / Linfomas não Hodgkin na infância: resultados de tratamento de pacientes em estádio III.

From January 1980 to December 1984, 22 children with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were admitted to the "Instituto da Criança-HCFMUPS" and according to the LNH-I-80 Protocol including a remission induction phase (Cyclofosfamide day 1, Vincristine days 3, 10, 17, 24, Daunomycin days 12 and 13, Prednisone for 30 days), followed by a continuation phase (Cyclofosfamide x 7 days + Adriamycin day 8 ARA-C x 4 days + Vincristine day 5, Mercaptopurine x 4 days + Methotrexate day 5) alternating three pairs of drugs during 72 weeks. Mercaptopurine and Methotrexate given during additional 48 weeks completes therapy. Twenty-one out of 22 patients attained complete remission. One patient died after widespread infection. Six relapses occurred, five of them in Burkitt's lymphoma patients. Although highly effective in the non-Burkitt's patients, the LNH-I-80 Protocol failed in keeping Burkitt's patients in event free survival.

[Multicentric osteosarcoma: report of a case with synchronous lesions]. / Osteossarcoma multicêntrico: relato de um caso com lesões sincrônicas.

A case of multicentric synchronous osteosarcoma occurring in a 9 year old girl is reported. Some particular features of this rare disease namely its rapid progression despite intensive drug therapy is stressed. Current hypothesis for the occurrence of this unusual form of neoplasm are here discussed.

Administration of live attenuated varicella vaccine to children with cancer before starting chemotherapy.

From July 1985 to February 1987, of 46 consecutive children with cancer (26 male, 20 female; median age, 4 years) with no prior history of chickenpox, the initial 30 patients were randomized either to receive or not to receive live attenuated varicella vaccine (LAVV) before chemotherapy was started and the remaining 16 patients were all immunized without randomization. Before immunization, Varicella zoster (VZ) antibodies were detected by immunofluorescence and ELISA in 11 (34%) of 32 vaccinated children and two (14%) of 14 controls, indicating previous infection. A booster effect was evident in 70% of them and no side effects were noted. Ten (28%) of 32 vaccinees were excluded from the analysis because of early death due to cancer (1-4 weeks). Seroconversion was demonstrated in ten (77%) of 13 vaccinees, with high antibody titres. Only three of them lost their antibodies 2 years after immunization, as disclosed by serological follow-up. Eight out of 13 vaccinees had household contacts with VZ and none became infected. Zoster immunoglobulin (ZIG) was never given. Among controls, seven out of 14 were exposed to VZ and four (57%) became infected. Mild side effects were observed in four (12.5%) out of 32 vaccinees (three with papulovesicular rash, 6-30 lesions, and one with a 3-day intermittent fever). Local reactions, zoster and spreading of vaccinal virus did not occur. LAVV proved to be safe and effective when administered before starting chemotherapy to children with cancer and no history of varicella.

Aplasia medular prolongada como manifestacao pre-leucemica. / Long-term medullary aplasia as pre-leucemic manifestation

Os autores apresentam um caso de aplasia medular prolongada, em crianca de 7 anos e 8 meses de idade, medicado com androgeno por 9 meses sem melhoria do quadro hematologico, ate que foram constatados 32% de celulas leucemicas ao hemograma o que permitiu, entao, o diagnostico de leucemia mielomonocitica, tendo sido possivel obter remissao completa. Os autores comentam a importancia da identificacao de estados pre-leucemicos

Drogas administradas a gestante e suas repercussoes hematologicas no recem-nascido. / Drug administration to pregnant women and its haematologic repercussions in the newborn infant

Os autores analisam as repercussoes, do ponto de vista hematologico para o recem-nascido, de drogas usadas pela gestante, destacando hemorragia, doenca hemolitica neonatal, plaquetopenia e metemoglobinemia. Comentam que o valor terapeutico das drogas deve ser avaliado com base nos possiveis efeitos adversos para o feto e para o recem-nato