Response to high-dose cisplatin and etoposide in advanced germ cell tumors in children: results of the Brazilian Germ Cell Tumor Study.

A trial was undertaken to assess the efficacy and toxicity of high-dose cisplatin and etoposide in children with newly diagnosed advanced malignant germ cell tumors. A total of eleven children and adolescents were treated with courses of high dose cisplatin 30 mg/m2/day and etoposide 120 mg/m2/day in five day cycles at 21 day intervals. There were eight girls and three boys, aged between 1 and 16 years (median: 120 months). Of nine unresectable tumors, six were in complete remission after three cycles and were completely resected. All patients are alive (median follow-up 17 months). Preliminary results shows that high dose cisplatin and etoposide is effective in controlling advanced malignant germ cell tumor.

[Treatment of sickle cell anemia crisis with dipyrone, hydrocortisone, and fluid therapy]. / Tratamento da crise de anemia falciforme pela dipirona, hidrocortisona e hidratação.

It was observed "in vitro" that dipirone improves hemoglobin S solubility, and that corticosteroids by antiinflammatory action relieve pain in sickle cell anemia crises. In the period between 1983 and 1988, 116 patients with sickle cell anemia having painful crises were studied. All patients were hydrated with DW (5% normal Serum Sodium/NSS) 1:1, in a total volume of 2250 ml/square meters (sgm) day. Patients were distributed as follows: Group 1: 26 patients treated with an association of dipirone and hidrocortisone; Group 2: 21 patients treated with hidrocortisone only; Group 3: 22 patients treated with dipirone only; Group 4: 23 patients treated only with hidration; Group 5: 24 patients treated only with DW 50%. Treatment efficacy was evaluated on the subjective assessment (complete pain relief of patients, 24 hours after the beginning of the treatment). We have concluded that treatment with dipirone and/or hidrocortisone plus hidration was efficient for pain relief in sickle cell crises.