Browsing by Author "Ozkalemkas, Fahir"

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Castleman Disease: A Multicenter Case Series from Turkey
(2022) Gunduz, Eren; Kirkizlar, Hakki Onur; Umit, Elif Gulsum; Gulsaran, Sedanur Karaman; Ozkocaman, Vildan; Ozkalemkas, Fahir; Candar, Omer; Elverdi, Tugrul; Kucukyurt, Selin; Paydas, Semra; Ceneli, Ozcan; Karakus, Sema; Maral, Senem; Ekinci, Omer; Ipek, Yildiz; Kis, Cem; Guven, Zeynep Tugba; Akdeniz, Aydan; Celkan, Tiraje; Kucukdiler, Ayse Hilal Eroglu; Cagliyan, Gulsum Akgun; Sengoz, Ceyda Ozcelik; Karatas, Ayse; Bulduk, Tuba; Ozcan, Alper; Apak, Fatma Burcu Belen; Canbolat, Aylin; Kartal, Ibrahim; Oren, Hale; Toret, Ersin; Ozdemir, Gul Nihal; Ozturk, Sule Mine Bakanay; 35176839
Objective: Castleman disease (CD) is a rare disease also known as angiofollicular lymph node hyperplasia. The two main histological subtypes are the hyaline vascular and plasma cell variants. It is further classified as unicentric CD (UCD) or multicentric CD (MCD) according to the anatomical distribution of the disease and the number of lymph nodes involved. The aim of this multicenter study was to evaluate all cases of CD identified to date in Turkey to set up a national registry to improve the early recognition, treatment, and follow-up of CD. Materials and Methods: Both adult (n=130) and pediatric (n=10) patients with lymph node or involved field biopsy results reported as CD were included in the study. Patients' demographic information, clinical and laboratory characteristics, imaging study results, treatment strategies, and clinical outcomes were evaluated retrospectively. Results: A total of 140 patients (69 male and 71 female) with a diagnosis of UCD (n=73) or MCD (n=67) were included. The mean age was 39 years in the UCD group and 47 years in the MCD group. Female patients were more common in the UCD group. The most common histological subtype was hyaline vascular for both UCD and MCD patients. Asymptomatic patients were more common in the UCD group. Anemia, elevations of acute phase reactants, and hypoalbuminemia were more common in the MCD group. The most commonly used treatment strategies for UCD were surgical excision, rituximab, and radiotherapy, respectively. All UCD patients were alive at a median of 19.5 months of follow-up. The most commonly used treatment strategies for MCD were methyl prednisolone, R-CHOP, R-CVP, and rituximab. Thirteen MCD patients had died at a median of 34 months of follow-up. Conclusion: This study is important in presenting the patient characteristics and treatment strategies for CD from Turkey, with the potential of increasing awareness about CD. Treatment data may help in making decisions, particularly in countries that do not have access to siltuximab. However, larger prospective studies are needed to make definitive conclusions.
Extracorporeal Photopheresis In The Treatment Of Acute And Chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease: A Position Statement From The Turkish Society Of Apheresis (TSA)
(2022) Kaynar, Leylagul; Tekgunduz, Emre; Kozanoglu, Ilknur; Ozkan, Hasan Atilla; Aksu, Salih; Ozkalemkas, Fahir; Demirkan, Fatih; 35123893; GXH-4007-2022
Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is still the most important cause of mortality and morbidity after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Though perfect response rates are not achieved, steroids are still the first-line treat-ment. In the face of the presence of the drugs approved by FDA in recent years for acute and chronic GVHD as second-line therapy in the steroid-refractory group, there exists no standard approach. Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) with an immunomodulatory effect, is favored in the treatment of both acute and chronic steroid refractory GVHD as it does not increase the risk of relapses or infections. Having a low profile of side effects, ECP is also generally well-tolerated by patients. Being a time requiring procedure, the fact is that it is not able to be practiced in all health centers and requires central venous catheters in patients unfit for venous access may be enumerated among its shortcomings. No complete standard is available with respect to ECP application frequency-time; it varies from one center to another. The Turkish Society of Apheresis established the Turkish ECP (TECP) group and sought some answers to the questions regarding the use of ECP in the treatment of GVHD, and issued a position statement.
Recommendations for Risk Categorization and Prophylaxis of Invasive Fungal Diseases in Hematological Malignancies: A Critical Review of Evidence and Expert Opinion (TEO-4)
(2015) Boga, Can; Bolaman, Zahit; Cagirgan, Seckin; Karadogan, Ihsan; Ozcan, Mehmet Ali; Ozkalemkas, Fahir; Saba, Rabin; Sonmez, Mehmet; Senol, Esin; Akan, Hamdi; Akova, Murat; 26316478
This is the last of a series of articles on invasive fungal infections prepared by opinion leaders in Turkey. The aim of these articles is to guide clinicians in managing invasive fungal diseases in hematological malignancies and stem cell transplantation based on the available best evidence in this field. The previous articles summarized the diagnosis and treatment of invasive fungal disease and this article aims to explain the risk categorization and guide the antifungal prophylaxis in invasive fungal disease.