Late mortality experience in five-year survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer: the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

PURPOSE: Survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer are at risk for long-term effects of disease and treatment. The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study assessed overall and cause-specific mortality in a retrospective cohort of 20,227 5-year survivors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible subjects were individuals diagnosed with cancer (from 1970 to 1986) before the age of 21 who had survived 5 years from diagnosis. Underlying cause of death was obtained from death certificates and other sources and coded and categorized as recurrent disease, sequelae of cancer treatment, or non-cancer-related. Age and sex standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) were calculated using United States population mortality data. RESULTS: The cohort, including 208,947 person-years of follow-up, demonstrated a 10.8-fold excess in overall mortality (95% confidence interval, 10.3 to 11.3). Risk of death was statistically significantly higher in females (SMR = 18.2), individuals diagnosed with cancer before the age of 5 years (SMR = 14.0), and those with an initial diagnosis of leukemia (SMR = 15.5) or CNS tumor (SMR = 15.7). Recurrence of the original cancer was the leading cause of death among 5-year survivors, accounting for 67% of deaths. Statistically significant excess mortality rates were seen due to subsequent malignancies (SMR = 19.4), along with cardiac (SMR = 8.2), pulmonary (SMR = 9.2), and other causes (SMR = 3.3). Treatment-related associations were present for subsequent cancer mortality (radiation, alkylating agents, epipodophyllotoxins), cardiac mortality (chest irradiation, bleomycin), and other deaths (radiation, anthracyclines). No excess mortality was observed for external causes (SMR = 0.8). CONCLUSION: While recurrent disease remains a major contributor to late mortality in 5-year survivors of childhood cancer, significant excesses in mortality risk associated with treatment-related complications exist up to 25 years after the initial cancer diagnosis.

Changes in body mass index and prevalence of overweight in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: role of cranial irradiation.

BACKGROUND: The risk factors responsible for an increased prevalence of obesity or overweight in survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remain controversial. We evaluated changes in body mass index (BMI) in a cohort of ALL survivors, all of whom have been followed until completion of linear growth. PROCEDURE: BMI (weight/height(2)) was used as an index of adiposity and was calculated at diagnosis, at the end of treatment, and at attainment of final height in a cohort of 126 (59 males) survivors of ALL. BMI was adjusted for age and sex by computing a BMI standard deviation score (SDS) or z score. The spectrum of therapies used included intrathecal chemotherapy given alone (n = 38) or combined with cranial irradiation (CRT; 18 Gy, n = 35; 24 Gy, n = 53) and exposure to prednisone at a low dose (<3.5 gm, n = 49), medium dose (3.5-9.4 gm, n = 46), or high dose (>9.4 gm, n = 30). RESULTS: Overall, mean +/- SEM BMI-SDS increased significantly between diagnosis (-0.18 +/- 0.08) and the end of therapy (0.41 +/- 0.09, P < 0.01), with no significant change thereafter. For patients without CRT, mean BMI-SDS remained unchanged, whereas, for those so treated, mean BMI-SDS increased significantly between diagnosis and the completion of therapy (P < 0.001). The change in mean BMI-SDS was greater in the 24 Gy group vs. the 18 Gy CRT sample (P < 0.005). In a multivariate logistic regression model, CRT was an independent predictor of being overweight (BMI >/=85 percentile) at attainment of final height [odds ratio = 1.6 (95% confidence interval 1.0-23. 1)]. The percentage of subjects who were overweight at attainment of final height was 10.5%, 40%, and 38% for subjects treated with no CRT, 18 Gy CRT, or 24 Gy CRT, respectively (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Children with ALL given CRT develop increases in their BMI-SDS early on and during treatment and remain at significant risk for becoming overweight as young adults, a development that may increase their already heightened risk for various adverse health outcomes.

Diffuse lymphangiomatosis of bone.

Two cases of lymphangiomatosis of bone, a very rare systemic condition characterized by both skeletal and parenchymal lesions, are presented. The skeletal changes have an appearance similar to haemangiomas in the spine, and soap-bubbly lesions in the flat bones. One case carried the diagnosis of eosinophilic granuloma for 18 years. The findings on MRI, which have not been previously well-established, are discussed.

Epidemiology of osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma in childhood: a study of 305 cases by the Children's Cancer Group.

BACKGROUND: The Children's Cancer Group conducted a case-control study to determine the role of a broad range of environmental and familial factors in the etiology of Ewing's sarcoma and osteosarcoma in children. These factors included radiation exposure and, for children with osteosarcoma, parental exposure to beryllium. METHODS: The parents of 152 children with osteosarcoma and 153 children with Ewing's sarcoma were interviewed by telephone. Controls were obtained by random digit dialing and were matched to cases by age and race. RESULTS: Female osteosarcoma patients had earlier onset of breast development (age 11.4 vs. 11.8 years, P=0.03) and menarche (age 12.1 vs. 12.5 years, P=0.002) but no significant differences in growth, whereas male osteosarcoma patients were similar in age at the onset of secondary sexual characteristics but reported significantly less weight gain during their growth spurt (6.6 vs. 11.7 kg, P=0.003). For children with Ewing's sarcoma, the growth spurt began earlier (age 12.1 vs. 12.7 years, P=0.12) and resulted in less weight and height gain (5.2 vs. 9.7 kg, P=0.002, and 10.2 vs. 12.7 cm, P=0.02, respectively) for males, but no differences were observed among females. For factors not related to growth and development (including a wide range of occupational, medical, and household exposures), there was little evidence of an etiologic role with respect to either tumor type. CONCLUSIONS: Differences between cases and controls with respect to growth and development showed no consistent pattern. This study did not identify any important risk factors for either type of childhood bone tumor.

Genetic and immunological parameters governing in vivo susceptibility/resistance to retrovirally induced murine malignant histiocytosis.

Malignant histiocytosis sarcoma virus (MHSV) arose as a recombinant of c-Harvey-ras murine sarcoma virus (Ha-MuSV) and Friend mink cell focus-forming virus (F-MCFV). It is a defective acute transforming retrovirus that, along with Friend murine leukemia helper virus (F-MuLV), induces malignant histiocytosis (MH) in susceptible adult mice. We have assessed the in vivo susceptibility to MHSV in inbred homozygous, F1 hybrid, congenic, and recombinant inbred (RI) mice. We have shown that: (1) in vivo resistance to MHSV is multigenic, regulated by MHC and non-MHC genes in a different fashion than with F-MCFV, F-MuLV, or Ha-MuSV; (2) using BXD RI mice, the resistance phenotype is linked with 95.8% probability to two linked loci, Pmv-9 and Iapls3-14, on chromosome 13 (homologous to the area of human chromosome 5 for which a chromosomal break point at position 5q35 is associated with human MH); and (3) CD4+ T cells are critical for MHSV resistance.

The relation of Langerhans cell histiocytosis to acute leukemia, lymphomas, and other solid tumors. The LCH-Malignancy Study Group of the Histiocyte Society.

The frequency of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) and a malignant neoplasm occurring in the same individual appears to be greater than previously recognized. To define the occurrence and the pattern of these events, a Study Group of the Histiocyte Society initiated a registry of patients in whom this association occurred synchronously or asynchronously. Evaluation of 54 patients detected two patterns of associations between LCH and other disorders. First, it is possible that therapy of LCH promotes a secondary malignancy. Second, it is possible that a genetic predisposition, with or without the immunosuppression associated therapy for the malignancy, plays a role in the development and expression of disseminated LCH. Data collected by the LCH-Malignancy Study Group may provide insights into the etiology and pathophysiology of LCH.

The epidemiology of Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Little progress has been made in finding the causes of LCH. Epidemiologic studies are difficult because of the rarity of this disease. Although several associations have been demonstrated in case-control studies, particularly that with thyroid disease, no causal relationships have been documented. Additional case-control studies may uncover the to-date missing lead that may prove fruitful for epidemiologic investigation.

SIOP Working Committee on psychosocial issues in pediatric oncology: guidelines for communication of the diagnosis.

This is the fourth official document of the SIOP Working Committee on psychosocial issues in pediatric oncology constituted in 1991. This document develops another topic discussed and approved by the SIOP Committee: "communication of the diagnosis" is addressed to the pediatric oncology community as guidelines that could be followed. The highly stressful nature of the diagnostic period must be acknowledged, and communication involving the staff and all family members should cover both medical and psychosocial issues. A well-planned and extensive initial session should be followed by continuing discussions. The goal is a knowledgeable family that can talk openly with its members and with the staff.

Treatment of childhood lymphangiomas with interferon-alpha.

PURPOSE: Nonsurgical treatment of lymphangiomas has shown limited efficacy and often carries unacceptable toxicities, demonstrating the need for a more effective, less toxic therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We describe two patients with lymphangiomatosis treated for 12 to 40 months with recombinant interferon-alpha. RESULTS: Both patients demonstrated stabilization or marked improvement of disease, based on clinical and radiologic findings, with minimal toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: The favorable responses to interferon-alpha therapy in these two cases suggest that this is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for lymphangiomas in children.

Epidemiologic study of Langerhans cell histiocytosis in children.

OBJECTIVE: The etiology and pathogenesis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) remain poorly understood. We conducted an exploratory epidemiologic study to investigate potential risk factors associated with LCH. STUDY DESIGN: We used a case-control study design to obtain data from parents of children with LCH (n = 459) who were members of the Histiocytosis Association of America and Canada. The two control groups consisted of 683 community control subjects and 3719 children with childhood cancers treated at participating Children's Cancer Group institutions. RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis of LCH was 1.8 years (range 0.1 to 14.6 years). Cases were categorized as multisystem LCH (MS-LCH) (n = 208) and single-system LCH (SS-LCH) (n = 198). Statistically significant associations included the following: infections in the neonatal period (MS-LCH, odds ratio (OR) = 2.2), solvent exposure (SS-LCH, OR = 54.9), childhood vaccinations (MS-LCH and SS-LCH, OR = 0.4), thyroid disease in the proband (MS-LCH and SS-LCH, OR = 21.6), and family history of thyroid disease (MS-LCH and SS-LCH, OR = 1.4). The association with thyroid disease in the proband was explained partially by the involvement of the pituitary, with the relative risk decreasing when patients with diabetes insipidus and thyroid involvement were excluded from analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This large hypothesis-generating study provides directions for future investigations in well-designed population-based or hospital-based epidemiologic studies.

SIOP Working Committee on Psychosocial issues in pediatric oncology: guidelines for care of long-term survivors.

This is the third official document of the SIOP Working Committee on Psychosocial issues in pediatric oncology constituted in 1991. This document develops another topic already discussed and approved by the SIOP committee. The topic: "Care of long-term survivors" is addressed to the pediatric oncology community as guidelines that could be followed for considering this issue in a more appropriate way.

Malignant histiocytosis: a reassessment of cases formerly classified as histiocytic neoplasms and review of the literature.

Malignant histiocytosis (MH) and true histiocytic lymphoma (THL) are hematopoietic malignancies of the mononuclear phagocytic system distinguished from each other by clinical presentation and presumed cell of origin. THL present as a localized mass derived from the fixed tissue histiocyte which may or may not disseminate. MH originates from the circulating monocyte or tissue macrophage and is characterized by a syndrome of systemic symptoms, pancytopenia, adenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and wasting. The distinction between MH and THL is at times arbitrary and overlap exists between these syndromes. The clinicopathologic studies that defined these entities were performed prior to the development of immunophenotyping and other molecular techniques currently used to ensure proper classification of hematopoietic malignancies. Nine patients from the University of Minnesota originally diagnosed with MH were retrospectively analyzed using a panel of antibodies reactive against T cell, B cell, and myelomonocytic antigens. Only one patient was reclassified as a possible histiocytic malignancy after reevaluation. Similar immunophenotyping studies have also shown cases previously diagnosed as MH or THL express lymphoid antigens, and would now be classified as Ki-1 positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) or some other hematopoietic neoplasm. These results indicate true histiocytic neoplasms are extremely rare, and previous concepts concerning clinical presentation and therapeutic outcome of the entities are inaccurate. In this paper we summarize the results of multiple retrospective analyses of cases previously diagnosed as MH or THL, including our experience at University of Minnesota, to illustrate the overall rarity of these entities. The current literature on malignant histiocytic disorders is reviewed, and the clinical presentation of patients determined to have histiocytic malignancies using contemporary analytical techniques is discussed.

An exploratory analysis of risk factors for childhood malignant germ-cell tumors: report from the Childrens Cancer Group (Canada, United States).

A study of 105 patients with childhood malignant germ-cell tumors (MGCT) and 639 community controls was conducted utilizing a large epidemiologic database collected by the Childrens Cancer Group from 25 member institutions in the United States and Canada. This study was designed to explore the risk factors of this malignancy whose etiology remains poorly understood. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect exposure information, and data were analyzed using an unconditional logistic regression model with adjustment for relevant confounders. Consistent with the findings from studies of adult MGCT, gestational age was associated inversely with risk of MGCT, with a 70 to 75 percent reduction in risk for children born at term compared with those born pre-term. Parental, particularly maternal, self-reported exposure to chemicals or solvents (odds ratio [OR] = 4.6, 95 percent confidence interval [CI] = 1.9-11.3) and OR = 2.2, CI = 1.1-4.7 for maternal and paternal exposure, respectively) and plastic or resin fumes (OR = 12.0, CI = 1.9-75.0 [maternal] and OR = 2.5, CI = 1.0-6.5 [paternal]) were associated with elevated risk of MGCT. New findings, not reported previously, include a positive relationship of MGCT risk with birthweight and prolonged breastfeeding, an inverse association between MGCT risk and number of cigarettes smoked by the mother during pregnancy, and a 3.1-fold increased risk (CI = 1.5-6.6) associated with maternal urinary infections during index pregnancy. Although these findings need confirmation from future studies, they suggest a potential influence of in utero exposure to maternal endogenous hormones, parental environmental exposures, and maternal diseases during pregnancy in the development of childhood MGCT.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis--clinical and epidemiological aspects.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a disease which frustrates both clinician and scientist. Its aetiology is unknown, its pathogenesis is ill understood and the clinical course is unpredictable. Historically, the different nomenclatures reflecting the first clinical descriptions by Hand (1893, 1921), Schuller (1915) and Christian (1920), and subsequently by Letterer (1924) and Siwe (1933), led to confusion only partially resolved by Lichtenstein (1953) who recognised that the disease in each of these clinical syndromes were components of a spectrum of disease involving the histiocyte. He proposed his unifying concept of Histiocytosis X--'X' being the unknown aetiological factor. In 1973, Nezelof recognised the lesional cell as a 'Langerhans-like' cell but it took another decade for the disease to be recognised as a single entity and the term Langerhans cell histiocytosis to be internationally accepted. The publication, by the Histiocyte Society (1987), of their classification of the histiocyte disorders together with criteria for pathological diagnosis and clinical evaluation of Langerhans cell histiocytosis have consolidated the position. This article details the wide variety of clinical manifestations of the disease and its sequelae and discusses possible epidemiological factors. Finally it looks at the potential implications of recent scientific research on the management of the disease.

Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: risk factors and clinical outcome.

We report 12 years' experience with histocompatible, related donor marrow transplantation for 123 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia; 104 > or = second remission. Four regimens were studied: cyclophosphamide (Cy)-+total body irradiation (TBI) (n = 35); Cy+fractionated TBI (n = 45); TBI+high-dose cytarabine (n = 15); and hyperfractionated TBI+Cy (n = 28). 45 patients survive (34 +/- 9%; 95% confidence interval) between 1 and 12.7 years (median 7.8 years) following BMT and 29 +/- 8% survive leukaemia-free. Significantly improved disease-free survival was observed in patients with an initial WBC < 50 x 10(9)/l (P = 0.02). Conditioning regimens tested yielded similar outcomes, though TBI/cytarabine led to greater treatment-associated mortality. Leukaemia relapse was the most frequent cause of failure in 56 +/- 11%; median time of relapse 8 months following BMT, none beyond 2.2 years. Relapse was more frequent with higher WBC, shorter initial remission and previous CNS leukaemia. Acute and/or chronic GVHD was associated with a strong trend (P = 0.06) towards less relapse. Allogeneic BMT may be curative for a substantial fraction of patients with ALL, but additional anti-leukaemic measures beyond these conditioning modifications tested will be required to prevent post-transplant leukaemia recurrence.

Acute leukemia in association with Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) and malignancy occurring in the same individual is unusual and has generally been the subject of isolated case reports. To better define the occurrence of these events a registry of cases with synchronous or asynchronous LCH and malignancy was developed with the cooperation of the Histiocyte Society. In 1991 the Histiocyte Society surveyed its members requesting information on cases in which LCH was associated with malignancy. The questionnaire was mailed to all members of the society and specifically requested information on the clinical and laboratory features of the cases, disease evolution, and response to therapy. Retrospective reporting was allowed. With this initial data, an ongoing registry of LCH patients with associated malignancy was begun of such cases, including evolution and response to therapy. Twenty-seven patients were enrolled during the first year of registry, of whom 4 patients had the association of LCH with a malignant lymphoma and 10 cases had an association of LCH with other types of solid tumor. The remaining 13 patients had the association of LCH with acute leukemia. In five cases, LCH was associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia FAB L1 (ALL). In four cases the ALL preceded the LCH by 6 months to 1 year. In four of five patients the LCH was localized; in two instances the LCH was treated with chemotherapy. In all cases the leukemia was treated according to local standard ALL protocols and in one case autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) was performed at relapse. Three patients are free of leukemia, one of whom has persistent localized LCH of the skin. Two patients died of the ALL, one of whom was free of the LCH at the time of death. In eight instances LCH was reported in association with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Six of these patients had a generalized form of LCH. In seven the diagnosis of LCH preceded the diagnosis of leukemia by more than 2 years (median 4 years). In the remaining patient both diagnoses were made concurrently. In all seven cases in whom LCH was the initial diagnosis the treatment consisted of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Seven patients died from the AML, five without evidence of LCH. The temporal patterns of the LCH-ALL and LCH-AML associations are distinct with ALL usually preceding the diagnosis of LCH and AML succeeding it.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Chemotherapy for induction of remission of childhood acute myeloid leukemia followed by marrow transplantation or multiagent chemotherapy: a report from the Childrens Cancer Group.

PURPOSE: In an effort to evaluate the usefulness of bone marrow transplantation, the Childrens Cancer Group (CCG) initiated a multiinstitutional study comparing bone marrow transplantation versus chemotherapy after successful induction of remission for previously untreated children and young adults with acute myeloid leukemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1979 to 1983, 508 patients were entered onto this study and 490 were treated. After induction, patients with an HLA mixed leukocyte culture (MLC)-compatible sibling underwent bone marrow transplantation. Patients not eligible for bone marrow transplantation were eligible for randomization to two chemotherapy maintenance regimens. All patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation were conditioned with cyclophosphamide and total-body irradiation (TBI). Methotrexate was used to prevent or modify graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). RESULTS: Three hundred eighty-one patients achieved bone marrow remission (78%). Eighty-nine patients had an HLA/MLC-compatible sibling donor and were eligible for bone marrow transplantation, and 252 had no match. Comparison of survival estimates for patients eligible for transplantation versus not eligible at 3 years (52% v 41%), 5 years (50% v 36%), and 8 years (47% v 34%) showed a significant difference in favor of bone marrow transplantation (P < .05). Disease-free survival (DFS) demonstrated similar results. Application of a cure model to the results showed a better outcome for those eligible for transplantation (P = .04). Patients randomized between the two chemotherapy regimens did not show any significant difference between those treated with a continuous maintenance versus a cyclic regimen (P = .16). CONCLUSION: Children and young adults who successfully achieved a remission with multiple-agent chemotherapy who had an HLA/MLC-compatible donor and were thus eligible for an allogeneic bone marrow transplant had better survival than those not eligible for transplantation.

Pretransplantation burden of leukemic progenitor cells as a predictor of relapse after bone marrow transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: We developed a test to discern small numbers of residual leukemic progenitor cells in the bone marrow of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in remission. Preliminary studies revealed that before undergoing bone marrow transplantation such patients differed in their burden of leukemic progenitor cells. These observations suggested that the burden of these cells might influence the risk of relapse after transplantation. METHODS: The number of residual leukemic progenitor cells before bone marrow transplantation was determined for 83 patients with high-risk ALL. We combined multiparameter flow cytometry and cell sorting with assays for leukemic progenitor cells in a quantitative method for the detection of minimal residual disease. RESULTS: The count of leukemic progenitor cells in bone marrow specimens from patients in remission varied markedly between patients, ranging from 0 to 12,546 cells per million mononuclear cells, or from 0 to 1.255 percent (median, 51 leukemic progenitor cells per million mononuclear cells, or 0.005 percent). Patients whose count of leukemic progenitor cells exceeded the median value had a higher likelihood of relapse than did patients with values below the median (relapse rate at one year, 100 percent vs. 41 percent; P < 0.001). There was a statistically significant inverse relation between the leukemic progenitor-cell content of bone marrow before transplantation and the duration of remission after transplantation (P < 0.001). The estimated risk of relapse for patients with > or = 51 leukemic progenitor cells per million mononuclear cells was more than 3.5 times the risk for patients with lower counts, after adjustment for the effects of other covariates (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The count of residual leukemic progenitor cells is a powerful predictor of relapse after autologous bone marrow transplantation, particularly among male patients. Its measurement may be useful for analyzing and improving the treatment of patients with high-risk ALL in remission.

Outcome of BMT during first complete remission of AML: a comparison of two sequential studies by the Children's Cancer Group.

One hundred and fifty children with AML in first remission were treated with allogeneic BMT in two sequential studies of the Childrens Cancer Group. The absence of differences in baseline variables justified comparison between the two studies. In the initial study (CCG-251), patients received GVDH prophylaxis with MTX alone (17 doses over 102 days). In an attempt to diminish the morbidity and mortality of acute GVDH, a second study (CCG-213) employed stronger GVHD prophylaxis with 6 months of CYA and short-course MTX (four doses over 11 days). Outcome was compared between these two non-randomized populations of children with AML transplanted in first remission. Augmented GVHD prophylaxis substantially diminished treatment-related mortality from 31% to 11% (p = 0.0033), but this effect was counterbalanced by an increase in the relapse risk from 22% to 35% (p = 0.29). Event-free survival at 2 years was 54% on CCG-251 and 59% on CCG-213 (p = 0.21). We observed a marginal diminution of relapse risk among patients with chronic GVHD compared with those without chronic GVHD (19% vs. 35%, respectively; p = 0.10). No anti-leukemic effect of acute GVHD was observed.