Thioguanine as single agent to achieve partial remission in adult acute non-lymphocytic leukaemia in poor risk patients

Ten adult patients with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia of poor risk presented with either low platelet or low white blood cell count. We treated with single drug 6-thioguanine. There were 7 male and 3 females with mean age 35 years. Age ranged from 14 to 70 years. The majority of patients presented with anaemia, fever, petechial and haemorrhage, gum hypertrophy, splenomegaly. According to the French-American-British classification, 6 [60%] had differentiated myelopblastic leukemia [M2], 2 [20%] had acute promyelocytic leukemia [M3] one [10%] had acute myelomonocytic leukemia [M4] and one [10%] had acute monoblastic leukemia [M5]. They were treated with 6-thioguanine therapy. The Median leucocyte/platelet and blast were 12x10[9]/L, 24x10[9]/L and 62% respectively before the therapy. After the 6-thioguanine [2-3 courses], median leucocyte/platelet and blast were 3.7x10[9]/L. 105x10[9]/L and 14% respectively complete remission was not achieved in any of these patients, but they achieved good partial remission. Then they were subsequently received conventional D.A.T. regimen. There were minimal side effects. We found that the thioguanine is a safe, effective drug in acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia. When patient presents with low WBC/platelet count and no facility for blood component or growth factors available

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: experience in Benghazi, Libya

We conducted a study of 40 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia who were diagnosed over ten-year period at 7th april hospital, Benghazi, libya. There were 26 males [65%] and 14 females [35%]. Their mean age was 61.9years. the majority of patients presented with lymphadenopathy, anaemia, spleen or liver enlargement. Skin involvement, petechial haemorrhage were seen in a small proportion only. Disease was more advanced in 50% of cases at the time of diagnosis [Rai stage III and IV]. In fifteen patients there was no follow up, in 13 patients there was irregular follow up and the rest of the patients were regularly followed up. Seventeen patients were given chlorambucil and prednisolone. Seven patients received only chlorambucil and six patients received only prednisolone. Response to therapy was good in mild cases. Among the regular follow up cases, 4 patients died and pneumonia was the cause of death in 3 of them

Incidence and pattern of hyperprolactinemia in Benghazi, Libya

A retrospective study for a period of 7 years in 7th april hospital, Benghazi, libya, identified 37 cases of hyperprolactinaemia. The interval between the start of the symptoms and diagnosis ranges from 2 months to 15 years. The causes of hyperprolactinaemia include prolactinoma in 5,druginduced in 5, ovarian cyst in 2, hypothyroidism in 2, chronic renal failure in one and remaining were idiopathic in 22 patients. The patients presented with galactorrhoea [62%], amenorrhoea [51%], infertility [37%], headache [32%], and hirsutism. Five patients with pituitary tumour were treated with surgery and bromocriptine. Other patients were given bromocriptine. They all improved

Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia complicated by pancytopenia

Angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy with dysproteinemia [AILD] is described. The patient had generalised lymphadenopathy, skin rash and hepatosplenomegaly. Serum IgA level was raised. Lymphnode biopsy showed effacement of its architecture, infiltration by numerous immunoblast and plasma cells and abundant proliferation of arborising small blood vessels. After initial improvement on steroid, the patients 's general condition deteriorated and he developed pancytopenia and died

Bronchogenic carcinoma, experience in Benghazi, Libya

Lung cancer was diagnosed in 130 patients durting eight years period in apopulation living in Benghazi area, Libya. The series comprised 124 men and 6 women, with a male to female ratio of 20.6:1. the diagnosis was confirmed histologically in all cases. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histological type of tumour in men, followed by adeno carcinoma and small cell carcinoma, whereas in the women adeno carcinoma was the most common tumour. All the females and two males were life long non smokers, whereas all other males were smokers or exsmokers. Crude incidence of primary lung cancer was 3.34 per 100.000 population per year, while incidence among males 40 years and above was 32.37 per 100.000 population per year. However the age standardized incidence rate was 10.5 per 100.000 population per year which is less than any developed countries

Moschowitz's syndrome [thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

A rare case of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura [moschowitz's syndrome] in 28 year old female is presented. After establishing the diagnosis, it was successfully treated with fresh frozen plasma [FFP]. Pathogenesis of the syndrome is briefly reviewed