Salvage treatment for children with relapsed/refractory germ cell tumors: The Associazione Italiana Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica (AIEOP) experience.
Background Malignant germ cell tumors (GCTs) are a heterogeneous group of rare neoplasms in children. Optimal outcome is achieved with multimodal therapies for patients with both localized and advanced disease, especially after the introduction of platinum-based chemotherapy regimens. In this respect, data on salvage treatment for children with relapsed or platinum-refractory disease are still limited. Methods Retrospective analysis of data regarding patients affected by malignant GCTs with platinum-refractory or relapsed disease after first-line treatment according to AIEOP TCGM 2004 protocol was conducted. Results Twenty-one patients, 15 females and 6 males, were considered for the analys…
Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors in pediatric patients: The AIEOP (Associazione Italiana Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica) study.
Objective Malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (MOGCT) carry an excellent prognosis, and the treatment aims to achieve results with the least possible treatment-related morbidity. The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of pediatric patients with MOGCT. Methods Patients were treated according to their stage: surgery and surveillance for stage I; a modified bleomycin–etoposide–cisplatin (BEP) regimen for stages II (three cycles), III, and IV (three cycles) with surgery on residual disease. Results Seventy-seven patients were enrolled (median age 11.8 years), 26 with dysgerminoma (Dysg), 13 with immature teratoma and elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein levels (IT + AFP), and 38 with nondy…
Teratoma with a malignant somatic component in pediatric patients: The Associazione Italiana Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica (AIEOP) experience
Background Teratoma with a malignant somatic component (TMSC) is rare but described in adults, whereas information on pediatric presentation is sparse. Procedure The Associazione Italiana Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica identified 14 cases of TMSC. Clinical files and pathology specimens were reviewed. Results The series (9 female, 5 male) showed the following disease: testis (2), sacrococcygeal (3), ovary (3), retroperitoneum (3), mediastinum (2), and foot soft tissue (1). Distribution of the somatic component was: carcinoma (4), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (1), neuroblastoma (3), rhabdomyosarcoma (3), rhabdomyosarcoma plus liposarcoma, chondrosarcoma, neurogenic sarcoma (1), chondrosar…
Outcome of children with neuroblastoma after progression or relapse. A retrospective study of the Italian neuroblastoma registry.
The Italian Neuroblastoma Registry was investigated to describe 781 children with neuroblastoma experiencing tumour recurrence (424 progressions and 357 relapses). Ten-year overall survival (OS) was 6.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 4.3-10.0) after progression and 14.4% (95% CI 10.5-18.9) after relapse. For both circumstances, OS was better for age at diagnosis <18 months, less advanced International Neuroblastoma Staging System (INSS) stage, normal lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) serum level, normal MYCN gene status (P<0.001) and a non-abdominal primary site (P=0.034 for progression, and P=0.004 for relapses). A local type of recurrence had a significantly better outcome only in case of relap…