Summary
Mucormycosis represents a real challenge in immunocompromised patients. This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics, treatment outcome and infection‐related mortality in our patients at the Children's Cancer Hospital 57357, Cairo, Egypt. This is a retrospective study during the period 2007‐2017. Data analysis included demographic data, risk factors, diagnostic workup, treatment and outcome. During the study period, 45 patients developed proven mucormycosis according to EORTC/MSG criteria (2008). Ninety percentof cases were of haematological malignancies. Liposomal amphotericin B was the mainstay of treatment. Posaconazole was used as secondary prophylaxis in 35% of cases. Combination antifungal was used in three cases with progressive mucormycosis. Surgical intervention was achievable in 50% of cases. Therapy was successful in 35 patients (66%). Complications related to mucormycosis were seen in five cases with disfigurement and perforated hard palate. Chemotherapy delay with subsequent relapse of primary malignancy was reported in one case. Mucormycosis‐related mortality was 33% (15 cases). Mucormycosis is a major cause of mortality among patients with haematological malignancies. Early diagnosis of Mucormycosis infection, with rapid initiation of appropriate antifungal therapy and surgical intervention, whenever feasible, is the backbone of mucormycosis treatment.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.