Treatment of head and neck hemangiomas with recombinant interferon alpha 2B

Fifteen patients with head and neck hemangiomas were treated with systemic recombinant interferon alpha 2b (rIFNalpha2b, Schering). There were 14 infants and 1 adult in the group, ranging in age from 5 weeks to 24 years old. Of the 15 patients in the group, 5 had involvement of the airway. Three of the patients had previously failed alternative systemic therapy. Twelve patients have had a beneficial response. Ten patients have completed the therapy and have been off interferon from 6 to 53 months without reappearance or progression of the disease. Two patients are currently on the therapy with resolving lesions. Three patients had minimal response and underwent successful surgical resection. No major toxicity was encountered during the therapy. Our experience demonstrates that rIFNalpha2b is a well-tolerated and effective therapy for hemangiomas of the head and neck that require intervention.