Microcephalus, medulloblastoma and excessive toxicity from chemotherapy: an unusual presentation of Fanconi anaemia

• Published in: Acta Paediatrica Vol. 90; no. 5; pp. 580 - 583
• Main Authors: Ruud, E, Wesenberg, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-05-2001
• Subjects: Fanconi anaemia; medulloblastoma; toxicity
• ISSN: 0803-5253; 1651-2227
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2001.tb00803.x

Fanconi anaemia is a genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous disorder with different forms of clinical presentation. In this case the patient had suffered from microcephalus and delayed motor development from birth, but extensive investigation did not disclose any aetiology. At 3.5 y she developed a cerebellar medulloblastoma which was treated with surgery and chemotherapy. Following chemotherapy with alkylating agents she suffered from severe bone marrow aplasia which caused life‐threatening infections, feeding problems and impaired kidney function. Fanconi anaemia was suspected, but it took 2 mo before the chromosome fragility test came out positive. From the moment diagnosis of Fanconi anaemia was made, no further active treatment was given. The patient's condition improved for some time, but she relapsed and died exactly 1 y after the first diagnosis of brain tumour.
Conclusion: Fanconi anaemia must always be suspected in patients who experience excessive toxicity from chemotherapy regardless of the type of malignancy and congenital malformations.