Sixteen patients with cisplatin associated anaemia (haemoglobin less than 9 gm per cent) received recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO), 50 U/kg subcutaneously three times a week for three weeks on an out patient basis. Seven of fifteen patients responded (increase in haemoglobin to greater than 10 g per cent); six following an well; headache, fatigue, nausea and feverish feeling being the main side effects. No episodes of hypertension or thrombo-haemorrhagic complications were detected. We conclude that recombinant human erythropoietin is safe and well tolerated in the recombinant human erythropoietin is safe and well tolerated in the treatment of cisplatin induced anaemia. It results in response rate of about 50 per cent following low dose treatment (50 U/kg three times a week). Further studies are needed to determine the optimum dose. schedule of EPO therapy and its impact on transfusion requirements.

Acute Promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) is a rare type of leukaemia representing 5-15 per cent cases of ANLL1. The characteristic chromosomal translocation involving chromosomes 15 and 172, increased propensity for DIC3,4 and the dramatic response to All Trans Retinoic Acid (ATRA), make APL unique among acute leukemias. Remission induced by ATRA has to be consolidated 5,6. Therapeutic options in treating DIC is controversial. We analysed 6 cases of APL treated with ATRA; 40 percent achieved a complete remission (CR)

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare tumour. Ante mortem diagnosis is seldom made and approximately 75 per cent of the cases described in the literature have been diagnosed at autopsy. Two cases of pericardial mesothelioma diagnosed after surgical intervention are presented and the relevant literature discussed.

During the period of July 1993 till March 1995, 409 new admissions were made in the Department of Medical Oncology, SKIMS (230 males, 179 females). Of these 23 patients were diagnosed to have hepatocellular jaundice of infectious aetiology (13 males and 10 females). Hepatitis B was seen in 9 patients (2.20 per cent), Hepatitis C in 5 patients (1.22 percent), Hepatitis E in 4 patients (0.97 per cent), the nature of infection could not be ascertained. Protracted clinical course including short incubation period, prolonged icteric stage and convalescence were observed, Indices of liver cell damage were elevated much more than the patients of uncomplicated hepatitis. Histopathological features were identical to those seen in uncomplicated hepatitis. There were 9 deaths (39.1 per cent) attributable to hepatocellular failure in these patients. Female sex, higher values of bilirubin and liver enzymes, low serum albumin and deranged coagulation indices were identified as bad prognostic factors.

Fetal outcome is major source of worry whenever treatment is undertaken for malignancy in pregnancy. Here, we present a case of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in primi who underwent combination chemotherapy from the 4th month of pregnancy to labour and the follow-up of the child. To our knowledge, in the literature survey done, no similar case has been reported in Indian literature.