| Abstract: | Abstract: Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) can be seen as a result of disseminated cancer, as a consequence of chemotherapy, or in association with bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Further distinction can be made when the clinical presentation is that of an acute, fulminant course with rapidly progressive renal failure or that of a sub‐acute form with a slow progression of renal involvement. Each of the different etiologies (cancer, chemotherapy, or BMT) and each of the two basic clinical presentations has its own prognosis. There are no randomized, controlled studies to elucidate the role of therapeutic apheresis for cancer‐related HUS. Hemolytic uremic syndrome related to disseminated cancer is most often a terminal event and is not commonly treated with apheresis procedures, although there are anecdotal reports that plasma exchange may be beneficial. Chemotherapy and drug‐related HUS have a prognosis that is strongly dependent on the severity of the presentation, but even in the most severe cases may respond to either immunoadsorption or plasma exchange with fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Finally, BMT‐related HUS has a poor prognosis but may respond to immunoadsorption, plasma exchange, or a combination of the two. |
