Articles

Epidemiology of COVID-19 infections in haematology patients and prognostic factors for outcome: A national, multicentre retrospective study

BJH - volume 13, issue 7, november 2022

T. Mercier MD, PhD, S. Fieuws PhD, K. Theunissen MD, M-C. Ngirabacu MD, PhD, N. Straetmans MD, PhD, C. Spilleboudt MD, D. Mazure MD, V. De Wilde MD, PhD, A. De Becker MD, D. Selleslag MD, D. Breems MD, PhD, D. Deeren , S. Servais MD, PhD, C. Jacquy MD, PhD, H. Poirel MD, PhD, D. Van Beckhoven MD, K. Blot MD, PhD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, H. Schoemans MD, PhD

SUMMARY

In the early weeks of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, little was known about the risk factors of this novel disease in haematology patients. We therefore created a national, multi-center, retrospective study via a national consortium of haematology centres in Belgium to investigate the incidence and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 in haematology patients. By combining these data with data collected through the national public health institute Sciensano and the national Belgian Cancer Registry, we were able to show that haematology patients were at an increased risk of being hospitalised with COVID-19 (1 in 250 haematology patients versus 1 in 2000 in the general population). Furthermore, we found that patients with multiple myeloma and acute leukaemia were overrepresented in these hospitalisations. Mortality at 90 days was 38% during the first wave, compared to 19.3% in the general population. We therefore conclude that haematology patients with COVID-19 are at a significantly higher risk of both hospitalisation and death.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2022;13(7):269–76)

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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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The 4th LYSA meeting

BJH - volume 9, issue 5, september 2018

C. Bonnet MD, PhD, M.C. Ngirabacu , M. Maerevoet MD, V. De Wilde MD, PhD, E. Van den Neste MD, PhD, M. André MD, PhD

SUMMARY

The 4th edition of the LYSA meeting was organised by Professor Steven Legouill’s team and held in Nantes from the 8th to 10th February, 2018. It was a real opportunity for the 500 participants to learn novelties on lymphoma and to be updated on ongoing clinical trials conducted by this cooperative group. All the presentations were outstanding and gave us new indications on how to better treat our patients in the near future.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2017;9(5):195–8)

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A Belgian consensus protocol for autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in multiple sclerosis

BJH - volume 9, issue 5, september 2018

A. Van De Velde MD, B. Willekens , L. Vanopdenbosch MD, O. Deryck , D. Selleslag MD, M. D’Haeseleer , A. De Becker MD, B. Dubois MD, PhD, D. Dierickx MD, PhD, G. Perrotta , V. De Wilde MD, PhD, V. Van Pesch MD, PhD, N. Straetmans MD, PhD, D. Dive MD, Y. Beguin MD, PhD, B. Van Wijmeersch MD, PhD, K. Theunissen MD, T. Kerre MD, PhD, G. Laureys MD, PhD

SUMMARY

Multiple sclerosis is considered to be an immune mediated inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system. It mainly affects young, socioeconomic active patients. Although our armamentarium for this disease has significantly evolved in recent years some patients remain refractory to conventional therapies. In these cases, autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation can be considered as a therapeutic option. Decreasing morbidity, mortality and increasing patient awareness have led to rising inquiry by our patients about this treatment option. With the aim of a standardised protocol and data registration, a Belgian working party on stem cell therapy in multiple sclerosis was established. In this paper, we report the consensus protocol of this working party on autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in multiple sclerosis.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2018;9(5):167–74)

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PP21 The light chain IgLV3-21 defines a new poor prognostic subgroup in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: results from a multicenter study

BJH - 2018, issue Abstract Book BHS, february 2018

B. Stamatopoulos , T. Smith , E. Crompot , K. Pieters , R. Clifford , M. Mraz , P. Robbe , A. Burns , A. Timbs , D. Bruce , P. Hillmen , N. Meuleman MD, PhD, P. Mineur MD, R. Firescu , M. Maerevoet MD, V. De Wilde MD, PhD, A. Efira MD, J. Philippé MD, PhD, B. Verhasselt MD, PhD, F. Offner MD, PhD, A. Heger , D. Sims , H. Dreau , A. Schuh

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P15 Treatment patterns of Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia in Belgium

BJH - volume 8, issue Abstract Book BHS, february 2017

A. Smet , V. Van Hende MD, M. André MD, PhD, C. Bonnet MD, PhD, G. Bries MD, PhD, V. De Wilde MD, PhD, H. Demuynck MD, N. Meuleman MD, PhD, W. Schroyens MD, PhD, A. Van Hoof MD, PhD, M. Giordan , L. de Vos , A. Janssens MD, PhD

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BHS guidelines for primary central nervous system lymphoma

BJH - volume 7, issue 2, april 2016

V. De Wilde MD, PhD, D. Dierickx MD, PhD, W. Schroyens MD, PhD, E. Van den Neste MD, PhD, C. Bonnet MD, PhD, M. André MD, PhD, A. Janssens MD, PhD, V. Van Hende MD, A. Van Hoof MD, PhD

Summary

Primary central nervous system lymphoma is a rare form of extranodal B cell lymphoma of the brain, the eyes, the meninges or the spinal cord in the absence of systemic lymphoma. The management of primary central nervous system lymphoma remains controversial, which is related to the rarity of the cases and the small number of controlled studies available. The present consensus report provides the guidelines proposed by the Belgian Hematology Society Lymphoproliferative Working Party for treating immunocompetent adult patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma.

(BELG J HEMATOL 2016;7(2):69–78)

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