Myelofibrosis in children: experience at a single tertiary care center in India

The authors describe 10 cases of myelofibrosis diagnosed and managed at their center over 16 years. There were 2 and 8 cases, respectively, of primary and secondary myelofibrosis. All patients presented with fever, pallor, hepatosplenomegaly, and/or lymphadenopathy. Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 4), neuroblastoma (n = 1), thrombasthenic thrombopathy (n = 1), and retroperitoneal-mass (n = 1) were causal in 7 patients, whereas the diagnosis could not be established in a sole case of secondary myelofibrosis. Patients were managed with chemotherapy and appropriate care. However, outcome was poor. The authors emphasize variable clinical-laboratory spectrum of myelofibrosis, highlight management concerns, and demonstrate that prognosis/outcome depends upon appropriate management of the underlying condition.