KI-1 LYMPHOMA IN 2 CHILDREN

Childhood Ki-1 lymphoma is rarely reported in Taiwan. We present two 8 -year-old girls with Ki-1 lymphoma diagnosed and treated at the Nation al Taiwan University Hospital. The first patient presented with a neck mass with hepatosplenomegaly. The second patient initially presented with joint pain and pathologic fracture; she was later found to have b one marrow involvement. Histologic studies of both tumors revealed biz arre large cells with pleomorphic nuclei and prominent nucleoli. All t hese cells were immunolabeled with monoclonal antibody Ki-1. The two p atients received different polyregime chemotherapy protocols followed by bone marrow transplantation (BMT); patient 1 had autologous BMT and patient 2 had allogeneic BMT. In addition, local radiotherapy and ret inoic acid were tried for patient 1 but she responded poorly and died 2 years after presentation. In patient 2, although bone marrow was ini tially involved, allogeneic BMT was performed smoothly after tumor loa ding was reduced and the patient was in remission at last follow-up, 2 6 months after presentation. Ki-1 lymphoma in children is characterize d by clinical presentations, and histologic and immunologic findings. Aggressive polyregime chemotherapy and bone mallow transplantation are treatments for this disease.