Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura During Maintenance Phase of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Rare Coexistence Requiring a High Degree of Suspicion, a Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Abstract

Thrombocytopenia may develop in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) due to myelosuppression of chemotherapy or relapse. Here we report a pediatric patient with ALL whose platelet counts decreased at the 102nd week of maintenance treatment. Thrombocytopenia was refractory to platelet infusions and bone marrow aspiration revealed remission status for ALL along with increased megakaryocytes. The cessation of chemotherapy for 2 weeks caused no increase in thrombocyte counts. The viral serology was unrevealing. A diagnosis of immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) was established. After administration of intravenous immunoglobulin, the thrombocytopenia resolved. When thrombocytopenia occurs in patients with ALL in remission, ITP should be kept in mind after exclusion of the more common etiologies.

• Authors: Turan Bayhan, Şule Ünal, Fatma Gümrük, Mualla Çetin
• Journal: Turkish journal of haematology : official journal of Turkish Society of Haematology (Turk J Haematol) Vol. 32 Issue 4 Pg. 363-6 (Dec 2015) ISSN: 1308-5263 [Electronic] Turkey
• PMID: 25913619 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Vincristine
• Dexamethasone
• Mercaptopurine
• Methotrexate

Topics

• Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols (therapeutic use)
• Child, Preschool
• Dexamethasone (administration & dosage)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Humans
• Maintenance Chemotherapy
• Mercaptopurine (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Methotrexate (administration & dosage)
• Platelet Count
• Precursor B-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma (complications, drug therapy)
• Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic (blood, diagnosis, etiology)
• Vincristine (administration & dosage)