Articles

Hodgkin’s lymphoma: Belgian Hematology Society guidelines in diagnosis, treatment and follow-up

BJH - volume 9, issue 6, november 2018

V. Van Hende MD, G. Verhoef MD, PhD, S. Snauwaert MD, PhD, V. De Wilde MD, PhD, B. De Prijck MD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, M. André MD, PhD

SUMMARY

Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) is a rare B cell malignant neoplasm affecting approximately 300 new patients in Belgium annually. This disease represents approximately 11% of all lymphomas and comprises two discrete disease entities: classical HL and nodular lymphocyte-predominant HL. In recent years, treatment of HL patients has changed tremendously due to the use of interim PET-CT scan and the appearance of new molecules. In this article, the diagnosis, staging, treatment and long-term follow-up of patients with classical HL are discussed.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(6):214–24)

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Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: New stuff at EHA 2018?

BJH - volume 9, issue 4, august 2018

A. Janssens MD, PhD

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(4):134–9)

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Management of severe aplastic anaemia

BJH - volume 9, issue 3, june 2018

Y. Serroukh MD, PhD, H. Claerhout MD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, T. Tousseyn MD, PhD, N. Boeckx MD, PhD, J. Maertens MD, PhD, T. Devos MD, PhD

SUMMARY

Aplastic anaemia is a rare condition characterised by pancytopenia and bone marrow hypocellularity and caused by the immune-mediated destruction of the haematopoietic precursors. The early complications are related to cytopaenias with infections being the major cause of morbi-mortality. The main long-term issue is clonal evolution to myelodysplastic syndrome or acute leukaemia. The diagnosis relies on exclusion of other causes of pancytopenia and characteristic pathologic findings. Severity is stratified according to peripheral blood counts. Nowadays, the survival of treated patients reaches 80–90%. The treatment of the severe form of aplastic anaemia consists on haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in eligible patients and immunosuppressive therapy in non-transplant candidates. Supportive therapy is an option in frail and/or elderly patients. Here, we define and briefly review the pathogenesis of aplastic anaemia. We propose a diagnostic and therapeutic strategy based on existing literature and experts’ recommendations. We finally report three cases illustrating particular clinical associations with pregnancy, hepatitis and paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(3):76–85)

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Management of cutaneous T & B cell lymphomas: a comprehensive review

BJH - volume 9, issue 3, june 2018

M. de Vicq de Cumptich MD, C. Springael MD, PhD, J. Somja MD, PhD, C. Bonnet MD, PhD, P. Heimann MD, PhD, U. Sass MD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, D. Bron MD, PhD

SUMMARY

Primary cutaneous lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of diseases with indolent or aggressive behaviour, skin-limited or systemic extension, from T or B cell origin. The optimal management requires the multi-disciplinary approach with dermatologists, hemato-oncologists, pathologists and molecular biologists. The objective of this review is to harmonise the work-up and the treatment of these different entities of cutaneous T or B cell lymphoma in Belgium, according to the availability of the drugs and specialised treatment such as extracorporeal photopherisis or total skin electron beam therapy.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(3):86–100)

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Updated BHS guidelines for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, mantle cell lymphoma and Waldenström macroglobulinemia anno 2018

BJH - volume 9, issue 3, june 2018

A. Janssens MD, PhD, V. Vergote MD, V. Van Hende MD, D. Bron MD, PhD, A. Van Hoof MD, PhD

SUMMARY

The Belgian Haematological Society Lymphoproliferative Working Party updated the existing recommendations on best strategies for frontline and subsequent line treatment of small lymphocytic leukaemia/chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, mantle cell lymphoma and Waldenström Macroglobulinemia according to new reimbursements and robust clinical data.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(3):101–12)

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Management of immune thrombocytopenia in multiple sclerosis patients treated with alemtuzumab: a Belgian consensus

BJH - volume 9, issue 3, june 2018

C. Lambert MD, B. Dubois MD, PhD, D. Dive MD, A. Lysandropoulos MD, D. Selleslag MD, L. Vanopdenbosch MD, V. Van Pesch MD, PhD, B. Van Wijmeersch MD, PhD, A. Janssens MD, PhD

SUMMARY

Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada®) is a humanised monoclonal antibody indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis with active disease defined by clinical or imaging features. Alemtuzumab demonstrated superior efficacy over active comparator in both treatment naive patients and those with inadequate response to prior therapy. Alemtuzumab is associated with a consistent and manageable safety and tolerability profile. Treatment with alemtuzumab for multiple sclerosis increases the risk for autoimmune adverse events including immune thrombocytopenia. Complete blood counts with differential should be obtained prior to initiation of treatment and at monthly intervals thereafter for 48 months after the last infusion. After this period of time, testing should be performed based on clinical findings suggestive of immune thrombocytopenia. If immune thrombocytopenia onset is confirmed, appropriate medical intervention should be promptly initiated, including immediate referral to a specialist. This paper presents the consensus of Belgian multiple sclerosis specialists and haematologists to guide the treating physician with practical recommendations.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(3):118–23)

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P33 Use of Ibrutinib for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) in Routine Clinical Practice: Results from the Belgian Ibrutinib Real-World Data (BiRD) Study

BJH - 2018, issue Abstract Book BHS, february 2018

A. Janssens MD, PhD, S. Snauwaert MD, PhD, R. Wapenaar , C. Van Bogaert , A. Smet , V. Seynhaeve

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