Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a distinct non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma type that commonly affects extra nodal sites. The most often affected sites are bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract and Waldeyer’s ring, being the skin rarely involved. We report a case of 56 year-old man with MCL, exhibiting multiple large maculopapular skin rashes and skin ulcers. Histopathological examination had not shown direct infiltration by any atypical cells. He had significant improvement of skin lesions with combination chemotherapy and debridement. Awareness of skin manifestations of MCL is crucial for dermatologists and haematologists to establish the early diagnosis and timely administration of appropriate treatment.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is curative therapy in benign and malignant diseases. Adequate stem cell dose is one of the most important marker of engraftment. Several methods have been developed to enumerate CD34+ cells. We present our data on 147 samples analysis. There was a clear linear correlation between two methods. Both methods were effective. Both single vs dual platform analysis yield similar results. Single platform analysis is easier to perform. In terms of cost reduction dual platform analysis is better.

Infections are one of the main cause of death in cancer patients particularly when granulocytopenia is present. A number of drugs have been used for the treatment of neutropenic patients with fever. Most published literature has shown piperacillin-tazobactum in combination with amikacin to be significantly more effective than ceftazidime plus amikacin in empirical treatment of febrile episodes in patients with neutropenia. In view of the reported literature we have tried this combination in our febrile neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies at PGIMS Rohtak. It was an open randomized trial. Patients were divided into two groups of 20 each. In the first group (group A) piperacillin-tazobactum (4 ? 0.5 g 6 hourly) with single daily dose of amikacin 20 mg/kg was given. In the second group (group B) ceftazidime 40 mg/kg every 8 hourly with single daily dose of amikacin 20 mg/ kg was given. The most common site of infection was blood followed by urinary tract, respiratory tract and oral cavity. 13 (65%) patients in group A and 12 (60%) patient in group B showed clinical success. In our study however in our patients a better response was seen in patients with piperacillin-tazobactum ? amikacin (65% vs. 60%). So it is recommended that piperacillin-tazobactum ? amikacin should be given in febrile neutropenic patients with haematological malignancies.

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