Glivec Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Glivec, including details on gleevec, imatinib, cancer, treatment, side-effects.

Multiple intracranial tumors in Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia: successful treatment following aggressive supportive care, early cranial radiation, high dose chemotherapy and imatinib.

Cuvelier GD, Vitali AM, Ford JC, Dix DB

Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology-BMT, British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada.

We report the first case of multiple intracranial tumors ("chloromas") at diagnosis of Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The patient presented comatose with signs of cerebral herniation. Initial management of raised intracranial pressure and hyperleukocytosis followed by emergent whole brain radiation therapy reversed the life-threatening neurological signs. High-dose chemotherapy combined with daily imatinib mesylate induced a rapid and sustained bone marrow remission. Ongoing rehabilitation resulted in a near complete neurological recovery within 6 months of diagnosis. This outcome justifies aggressive early management of increased intracranial pressure and hyperleukocytosis in future similar presentations.

Published 13 May 2008 in Pediatr Blood Cancer, 51(1): 135-7.
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