Intralesional administration of interferon A for the management of severe haemangiomas.

Intralesional administration of interferon alpha (INF-A) is a new approach in haemangiomas treatment that we electively apply to our patients. The aim of this study is to report the beneficial results of this new kind of therapy. Thirty-two patients with severe haemangiomas, 19 females and 13 males, were treated at our department from January 2000 to December 2004. All patients received INF-A intralesionally at a dose of 1-3 MIU/m(2) of body surface once a day for the first week, and then once a week until completion of therapy. Reduction was evaluated after clinical and radiological measurement before, during and after completion of therapy and was graded as complete (>80%), significant (50-80%), medial (20-50%) and no response (<19%). Mean duration of therapy was 8 weeks (2 months). Most patients had not received prior therapy. Complete regression was noticed in 18 patients, satisfactory in 8 patients, minimal in 4 and no response in 2 patients. Minimal complications such as flu-like malaise with fever were reported by 23 patients at the beginning of therapy, but it was resolved easily by paracetamol administration. Complications such as haemorrhage or allergic reaction during administration or neurological symptoms were not reported or noticed. Intralesional administration of interferon A can be considered as a safe option for the management of massive or life-threatening haemangiomas as it requires reduced duration of treatment; hence this option results in reduced financial cost, is well tolerated by patients and is free of major complications.