AIHA and ITP

[J-girl]

I just started treatment with Rituxan and Bendeka for my CLL. After the first treatment I had to have 4 blood transfusions and started on high dose steroids for my low RBC and Platelet count. My Oncologist/hematologist said I have developed AIHA and ITP. I am not stable enough for splenectomy but that is in the mix. My question is how common is it to develop AIHA and ITP and treatment prognosis.

[Jm954 Administrator]

Hiya,

Between 5 and 10% of CLL patients will develop AIHA and approx 5% will have ITP. Both can arise at any time before or after treatment although successful treatment of the CLL usually resolves the autoimmune complications. Splenectomy is an option for more difficult cases.

I can't find any recent data for prognosis where autoimmune complications are present for treatments like Bendamustine or the targeted therapies but historically the prognosis was statistically worse. That might be very different nowadays.

Hope it all resolves soon.

[J-girl in reply to Jm954]

Thanks!

[Susiecarer]

My husband was diagnosed with the exact same (Evans Syndrome) which is treatable. Hubby was on steroids for 12 weeks which helped maintain a reasonable HB level. He was also on folic acid which he will remain on permanently until, I understand, treatment is finished. He hasn’t started chemo yet but Dr Schuh will discuss this with him next week and is looking at a favourable conclusion.

He did find however that the steroids made him very hungry.

Take care of yourself and I hope I have slightly answered your query.

Susiecarer

[J-girl in reply to Susiecarer]

That does help! I have noticed that the steroids are irritating my stomach so I'm hoping I can tolerate them long enough to get through the treatments. I felt really bad with Hgb 4.2 and do not want to get that low again!!

[Susiecarer in reply to J-girl]

Hubby HB was 5.6 and platelets were 7. Are you taking omeprazole along with the steroids. These will stop any stomach irritation.

Susiecarer

[J-girl in reply to Susiecarer]

Yes I am along with Maalox:).

[Hidden]

Hi J-girl,

Sorry to learn about your complications. The AIHA and ITP seems to have begun soon after your treatment.

I was searching the site for information about AIHA because I have just started being treated with prednisone which I did not know was being used to address AIHA. I've been treated for CLL for eight months and have had blood transfusions about every ten days for eleven months to compensate for my body marrow's inability to produce red blood cells. AIHA seems to be another complication.

I'm trying to find out more. I wish you a quick recovery,

Peter

[J-girl in reply to Hidden]

You too! I’m not tolerating the Prednisone so I’m not sure where we are headed. My Oncologist said the Prednisone would help both my RBC and Platelet count stay up.