Tumors of Choroid Plexus and Other Ventricular Tumors.

Tumors arising inside the ventricular system are rare but represent a difficult diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. They usually are diagnosed when reaching a big volume and tend to affect young children. There is a wide broad of differential diagnoses with significant variability in anatomical aspects and tumor type. Differential diagnosis in tumor type includes choroid plexus tumors (papillomas and carcinomas), ependymomas, subependymomas, subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs), central neurocytomas, meningiomas, and metastases. Choroid plexus tumors, ependymomas of the posterior fossa, and SEGAs are more likely to appear in childhood, whereas subependymomas, central neurocytomas, intraventricular meningiomas, and metastases are more frequent in adults. This chapter is predominantly focused on choroid plexus tumors and radiological and histological differential diagnosis. Treatment is discussed in the light of the modern acquisition in genetics and epigenetics of brain tumors.

Phase 2 study for nonmetastatic extremity high-grade osteosarcoma in pediatric and adolescent and young adult patients with a risk-adapted strategy based on ABCB1/P-glycoprotein expression: An Italian Sarcoma Group trial (ISG/OS-2).

BACKGROUND: According to retrospective osteosarcoma series, ABCB1/P-glycoprotein (Pgp) overexpression predicts for poor outcomes. A prospective trial to assess a risk-adapted treatment strategy using mifamurtide in Pgp+ patients was performed. METHODS: This was a phase 2, multicenter, uncontrolled trial including patients 40 years old or younger with nonmetastatic extremity high-grade osteosarcoma stratified according to Pgp expression. All patients received high-dose methotrexate, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MAP) preoperatively. In Pgp+ patients, mifamurtide was added postoperatively and combined with MAP for a good histologic response (necrosis ≥ 90%; good responders [GRs]) or with high-dose ifosfamide (HDIFO) at 3 g/m2 /d on days 1 to 5 for a histologic response < 90% (poor responders [PRs]). Pgp- patients received MAP postoperatively. After an amendment, the cumulative dose of methotrexate was increased from 60 to 120 g/m2 (from 5 to 10 courses). The primary end point was event-free survival (EFS). A postamendment analysis was performed. RESULTS: In all, 279 patients were recruited, and 194 were included in the postamendment analysis: 70 (36%) were Pgp-, and 124 (64%) were Pgp+. The median follow-up was 51 months. For Pgp+ patients, 5-year EFS after definitive surgery (null hypothesis, 40%) was 69.8% (90% confidence interval [CI], 62.2%-76.2%): 59.8% in PRs and 83.7% in GRs. For Pgp- patients, the 5-year EFS rate was 66.4% (90% CI, 55.6%-75.1%). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that adjuvant mifamurtide, combined with HDIFO for a poor response to induction chemotherapy, could improve EFS in Pgp+ patients. Overall, the outcomes compared favorably with previous series. Mifamurtide and HDIFO as salvage chemotherapy are worth further study.

Magnetic resonance features and cranial nerve involvement in pediatric head and neck rhabdomyosarcomas.

PURPOSE: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a malignant tumor frequent in children. The frequency and characteristics of cranial nerve involvement in pediatric head and neck (H&N) RMS have been scarcely reported. The aim of this study is to review a large cohort of pediatric head and neck RMS with an emphasis on cranial nerve involvement. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed H&N RMS cases from 3 tertiary hospitals over a 10-year period. Cranial nerve involvement was defined as radiologically apparent tumor extension along a nerve and/or the presence of secondary signs. Scans were reviewed by two pediatric neuroradiologists, blinded to clinical data. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients met the inclusion criteria. Histologically, 39/52 were embryonal RMS, while 13/52 were alveolar RMS. Regional lymph nodes metastases were present in 19.2%. Cranial nerve involvement was present in 36.5%. Nerves were mainly involved as a direct extension of the mass through skull base foramina or after invasion of cavernous sinus, Meckel's cave, orbital apex, or stylomastoid foramen. CONCLUSION: Cranial nerve involvement is frequent in pediatric head and neck RMS and occurs secondary to "geographic" invasion due to direct extension through skull base foramina or cavernous sinus. These tumors never showed distant perineural metastatic disease as is seen in cases of adult head and neck carcinomas. This implies a different biological interaction between the nerves and these tumors in comparison to adult H&N tumors.

Bone marrow biopsy in the initial staging of Ewing sarcoma: Experience from a single institution.

BACKGROUND: Ewing sarcoma (ES) is the second most common bone tumor in adolescents and children. Staging workup for ES includes imaging and bone marrow biopsy (BMB). The effective role of BMB is now under discussion. PROCEDURE: A monoinstitutional retrospective analysis reviewed clinical charts, imaging, and histology of patients with diagnosis of ES treated at the Rizzoli Institute between 1998 and 2017. RESULTS: The cohort included 504 cases of ES of bone; 137 (27%) had metastases at diagnosis, while the remaining 367 had localized disease. Twelve patients had a positive BMB (2.4%). Eleven had distant metastases detected at initial workup staging with imaging assessment: six patients presented with bone metastases, five with both bone and lung metastases. Only one patient with ES of the foot (second metatarsus) was found to have bone marrow involvement with negative imaging evaluation (0.3%). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our data, we suggest reconsidering the effective role of BMB in initial staging workup for patients with ES with no signs of metastases by modern imaging techniques. In metastatic disease, the assessment of the bone marrow status may remain useful to identify a group of patients at very high risk who could benefit from different treatment strategies.

Is there a role for chemotherapy after local relapse in high-grade osteosarcoma?

BACKGROUND: High-grade bone osteosarcoma has a high relapse rate. The best treatment of local recurrence (LR) is under discussion. The aim of this study is to analyze LR patterns and factors prognostic for survival. METHODS: LR diagnostic modality (clinical or imaging), pattern of recurrence, and post-LR survival (PLRS) were assessed. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were identified, with median age 21 years (range, 9-75 years), including 11 (18%) ≤15 years, 30 (48%) from 16 to 29 years; 21 (34%) were older. Patterns of relapse were LR only 58%, LR + distant metastases (DM) 42%. Seventy-nine percent of patients relapsed within 24 months, and diagnosis was clinical in 88%. LR treatment was surgery 85%, chemotherapy 55%, chemotherapy + surgery 45%. Surgical complete remission after LR (CR2) was achieved in 60% (LR 86%; LR + DM 23%). With a median follow-up of 43 months (range, 5-235 months), the five-year PLRS was 37%, significantly better for patients with longer LR-free interval (LRFI; ≤24 months 31% vs > 24 months 61.5%, P = 0.03), absence of DM (no DM 56% vs DM 11.5%, P = 0.0001), and achievement of CR2 (no CR2 0% vs CR2 58.5%, P = 0.0001). No difference was found according to age and chemotherapy (LR only: five-year PLRS: 53% without chemotherapy vs 58% with chemotherapy, P = 0.9; LR + DM: five-year PLRS: 25% without chemotherapy vs 9% with chemotherapy, P = 0.7). CONCLUSIONS: Early relapse is detected by symptoms in 90% of cases and associated with worse outcome. The achievement of CR2, not age, is crucial for survival. For patients with LR only, better survival was demonstrated, as compared with DM, and no improvement with chemotherapy after surgery was found.

Post-relapse survival in patients with Ewing sarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Post-relapse survival (PRS) was evaluated in patients with Ewing sarcoma (EWS) enrolled in chemotherapy protocols based on the use of high-dose chemotherapy with busulfan and melfalan (HDT) as a first-line consolidation treatment in high-risk patients. PROCEDURE: EWS patients enrolled in ISG/SSG III and IV trials who relapsed after complete remission were included in the analysis. At recurrence, chemotherapy based on high-dose ifosfamide was foreseen, and patients who responded but had not received HDT underwent consolidation therapy with HDT. RESULTS: Data from 107 EWS patients were included in the analysis. Median time to recurrence (RFI) was 18 months, and 45 (42%) patients had multiple sites of recurrence. Patients who had previously been treated with HDT had a significantly (P = 0.02) shorter RFI and were less likely to achieve a second complete remission (CR2). CR2 status was achieved by 42 (39%) patients. Fifty patients received high-dose IFO (20 went to consolidation HDT). The 5-year PRS was 19% (95% CI 11 to 27%). With CR2, the 5-year PRS was 48% (95% CI 31 to 64%). Without CR2, median time to death was six months (range 1-45 months). According to the multivariate analysis, patients younger than 15 years, recurrence to the lung only, and RFI longer than 24 months significantly influenced the probability of PRS. CONCLUSIONS: Age, pattern of recurrence, RFI, and response to second-line chemotherapy influence post-relapse survival in patients with recurrent Ewing sarcoma. No survival advantage was observed from chemotherapy consolidation with HDT.

Rare solid tumors in a patient with Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: case report and review of literature.

Background and aims: Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is an X-linked recessive primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by severe eczema, recurrent infections, and micro-thrombocytopenia. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a potentially curative therapeutic option for patients with classic form. The risk of developing post-transplant tumors appears to be higher in patients with WAS than in other inborn errors of immunity (IEIs), but the actual incidence is not well defined, due to the scarcity of published data. Methods: Herein, we describe a 10-year-old patient diagnosed with WAS, treated with HSCT in the first year of life, who subsequently developed two rare solid tumors, kaposiform hemangioendothelioma and desmoid tumor. A review of the literature on post-HSCT tumors in WAS patients has been performed. Results: The patient received diagnosis of classic WAS at the age of 2 months (Zhu score = 3), confirmed by WAS gene sequencing, which detected the nonsense hemizygous c.37C>T (Arg13X) mutation. At 9 months, patient underwent HSCT from a matched unrelated donor with an adequate immune reconstitution, characterized by normal lymphocyte subpopulations and mitogen proliferation tests. Platelet count significantly increased, even though platelet count never reached reference values. A mixed chimerism was also detected, with a residual WASP- population on monocytes (27.3%). The patient developed a kaposiform hemangioendothelioma at the age of 5. A second abdominal tumor was identified, histologically classified as a desmoid tumor when he reached the age of 10 years. Both hematopoietic and solid tumors were identified in long-term WAS survivors after HSCT. Conclusion: Here, we describe the case of a patient with WAS who developed two rare solid tumors after HSCT. An active surveillance program for the risk of tumors is necessary in the long-term follow-up of post-HSCT WAS patients.

Diagnostic and Dosimetry Features of [64Cu]CuCl2 in High-Grade Paediatric Infiltrative Gliomas.

PURPOSE OF THE REPORT: Paediatric diffuse high-grade gliomas (PDHGG) are rare central nervous system neoplasms lacking effective therapeutic options. Molecular imaging of tumour metabolism might identify novel diagnostic/therapeutic targets. In this study, we evaluated the distribution and the dosimetry aspects of [64Cu]CuCl2 in PDHGG subjects, as copper is a key element in cellular metabolism whose turnover may be increased in tumour cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Paediatric patients with PDHGG were prospectively recruited. [64Cu]CuCl2 PET/CT was performed 1 h after tracer injection; if the scan was positive, it was repeated 24 and 72 h later. Lesion standardised uptake value (SUV) and target-to-background ratio (TBR) were calculated. Tumour and organ dosimetry were computed using the MIRD algorithm. Each patient underwent an MRI scan, including FLAIR, T2-weighted and post-contrast T1-weighted imaging. RESULTS: Ten patients were enrolled (median age 9, range 6-16 years, 6 females). Diagnoses were diffuse midline gliomas (n = 8, 5 of which with H3K27 alterations) and diffuse hemispheric gliomas (n = 2). Six patients had visible tracer uptake (SUV: 1.0 ± 0.6 TBR: 5 ± 3.1). [64Cu]CuCl2 accumulation was always concordant with MRI contrast enhancement and was higher in the presence of radiological signs of necrosis. SUV and TBR progressively increased on the 24- and 72-h acquisitions (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). The liver and the abdominal organs received the highest non-target dose. CONCLUSIONS: [64Cu]CuCl2 is a well-tolerated radiotracer with reasonably favourable dosimetric properties, showing selective uptake in tumour areas with visible contrast enhancement and necrosis, thus suggesting that blood-brain barrier damage is a pre-requisite for its distribution to the intracranial structures. Moreover, tracer uptake showed an accumulating trend over time. These characteristics could deserve further analysis, to determine whether this radiopharmaceutical might have a possible therapeutic role as well.

Laparoscopic Trachelectomy for Cervix Yolk Sac Tumor in 11-Month-Old Girl: The Youngest Case.

BACKGROUND: Yolk sac tumor (YST) is a malignant entity that often occurs in girls less than 3 years of age and is the most frequent type of primary extragonadal germ cell tumor. CASE: We describe the case of an 11-month-old girl who was referred to our center for vaginal bleeding with evidence of a uterine mass on ultrasonography. Preoperative investigations confirmed YST of the uterine cervix without metastasis. After 4 cycles of systemic chemotherapy, the patient was treated with laparoscopic trachelectomy (fertility-sparing surgery) without perioperative complications. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: After 12 months of follow-up, no residual mass was seen. The laparoscopic technique for trachelectomy for uterine cervix YST seems to be feasible and safe in children under 1 year of age.

Whole Lung Irradiation after High-Dose Busulfan/Melphalan in Ewing Sarcoma with Lung Metastases: An Italian Sarcoma Group and Associazione Italiana Ematologia Oncologia Pediatrica Joint Study.

PURPOSE: To analyze toxicity and outcome predictors in Ewing sarcoma patients with lung metastases treated with busulfan and melphalan (BU-MEL) followed by whole-lung irradiation (WLI). METHODS: This retrospective study included 68 lung metastatic Ewing Sarcoma patients who underwent WLI after BU-MEL with autologous stem cell transplantation, as part of two prospective and consecutive treatment protocols. WLI 12 Gy for <14 years old and 15 Gy for ≥14 years old patients were applied at least eight weeks after BU-MEL. Toxicity, overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS) and pulmonary relapse-free survival (PRFS) were estimated and analyzed. RESULTS: After WLI, grade 1-2 and grade 3 clinical toxicity was reported in 16.2% and 5.9% patients, respectively. The five-year OS, EFS and PRFS with 95% confidence interval (CI) were 69.8% (57.1-79.3), 61.2% (48.4-71.7) and 70.5% (56.3-80.8), respectively. Patients with good histological necrosis of the primary tumor after neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed a significant decreased risk of pulmonary relapse or death compared to patients with poor histological necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: WLI at recommended doses and time interval after BU-MEL is feasible and might contribute to the disease control in Ewing sarcoma with lung metastases and responsive disease. Further studies are needed to explore the treatment stratification based on the histological response of the primary tumor.

Musculoskeletal manifestations of childhood cancer and differential diagnosis with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (ONCOREUM): a multicentre, cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Presenting symptoms of childhood cancers might mimic those of rheumatic diseases. However, the evidence available to guide differential diagnosis remains scarce. Preventing wrong or delayed diagnosis is therefore important to avoid incorrect administration of glucocorticoid or immunosuppressive therapy and worsening of prognosis. As such, we aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of presenting musculoskeletal manifestations in patients at cancer onset and to identify the factors that differentiate childhood malignancies with arthropathy from juvenile idiopathic arthritis. METHODS: We did a multicentre, cross-sectional study at 25 paediatric haemato-oncology centres and 22 paediatric rheumatology centres in Italy. We prospectively recruited patients who were younger than 16 years that were newly diagnosed with cancer or juvenile idiopathic arthritis. We excluded patients with glucocorticoid pre-treatment (>1 mg/kg per day of oral prednisone or equivalent for ≥2 consecutive weeks). We collected data for patients with a new diagnosis of cancer or juvenile idiopathic arthritis using an electronic case report form on a web-based platform powered by the Cineca Interuniversity Consortium. The primary outcome was to describe the frequency and characteristics of musculoskeletal manifestations at cancer onset; and the secondary outcome was to identify factors that could discriminate malignancies presenting with arthropathy, with or without other musculoskeletal symptoms, from juvenile idiopathic arthritis using multivariable logistic regression analysis. FINDINGS: Between May 1, 2015, and May 31, 2018, 1957 patients were eligible, of which 1277 (65%) had cancer and 680 (35%) had juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Musculoskeletal symptoms occurred in 324 (25% [95% CI 23·0-27·8]) of 1277 patients with cancer, of whom 207 had arthropathy. Patients with malignant bone tumours had the highest frequency of musculoskeletal symptoms (53 [80%] of 66), followed by patients with Langerhans histiocytosis (16 [47%] of 34), leukaemia (189 [32%] of 582), soft-tissue sarcomas (16 [24%] of 68), and neuroblastoma (21 [19%] of 109). In the 324 patients with cancer and musculoskeletal symptoms, the most common complaints were joint pain (199 [61%]), followed by limb bone pain (112 [35%]). Joint involvement had a prevalent monoarticular pattern (100 [48%] of 207) and oligoarticular pattern (86 [42%] had 2-4 joints involved and 20 [10%] had >4 joints involved), with the most frequently involved joints being the hip (88 [43%] of 207) and knee (81 [39%]). On multivariable analysis, limb bone pain was the independent variable most strongly associated with cancer (odds ratio [OR] 87·80 [95% CI 18·89-408·12]), followed by weight loss (59·88 [6·34-565·53]), thrombocytopenia (12·67 [2·40-66·92]), monoarticular involvement (11·30 [4·09-31·19]), hip involvement (3·30 [1·13-9·61]), and male sex (2·40 [1·03-5·58]). Factors independently associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis were morning stiffness (OR 0·04 [95% CI 0·01-0·20]), joint swelling (0·03 [0·01-0·09]), and involvement of the small hand joints (0·02 [0-1·05]). INTERPRETATION: Our study provides detailed information about presenting musculoskeletal manifestations of childhood cancers and highlights the clinical and laboratory features that are most helpful in the differential diagnosis with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. FUNDING: Associazione Lorenzo Risolo.

Non-metastatic osteosarcoma of the extremities in children aged 5 years or younger.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of high-grade osteosarcoma is rare in children aged 5 years or younger and only limited series or case reports have been described. METHODS: The records of patients aged 5 years or younger with non-metastatic high-grade osteosarcoma of the extremities treated with surgery and adjuvant or neo-adjuvant chemotherapy at Rizzoli Institute between 1972 and 1999 were retrospectively evaluated in relation to gender, primary tumor site, histological subtype, surgical treatment, chemotherapy-induced tumor necrosis, 5- and 10-year event-free survival (EFS), and rate of local recurrence. Data were compared to patients aged 6-40 years entered with the same diagnosis and over the same time interval. RESULTS: Data from 20 patients were collected. Comparing these data with those from 1,106 patients 6-40 years of age only two main differences resulted: the younger group showed a higher rate for fibroblastic subtype (P < 0.01) and for amputation surgery (P < 0.01). Among the two groups, no statistical difference was observed for the 5-year EFS (60% vs. 53.8%; P = 0.6) and 10-year EFS (60% vs. 52.1%; P = 0.5). The rate of local recurrence was 5.0% and 5.4%. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that in non-metastatic osteosarcoma of the extremities outcome and clinical characteristics are similar among children 5 years of age or younger and older patients. However, in the younger group we have observed a significant higher rate of fibroblastic subtype as well as a significant higher rate of mutilating surgery. Pediatr Blood Cancer.

Vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosfamide, actinomycin D, ifosfamide, and etoposide in adult and pediatric patients with nonmetastatic Ewing sarcoma. Final results of a monoinstitutional study.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: To investigate a six-drug combination in patients with nonmetastatic Ewing sarcoma, focusing on chemotherapy-induced necrosis and chemotherapy toxicity in adult and pediatric patients. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Alternating cycles of vincristine (1.5 mg/m2), doxorubicin (80 mg/m2) and cyclophosfamide (1200 mg/m2) (weeks 0, 6, 13, 22 and 31), ifosfamide (9 g/m2), vincristine (1.5 mg/m2), and actinomycin D (1.5 mg/m2) (weeks 3, 16, 25 and 34), and ifosfamide (9 g/m2) and etoposide (450 mg/m2) (weeks 9, 19, 28 and 37) were administered. Primary chemotherapy-induced necrosis was graded: G3 (complete necrosis), G2 (microfoci of tumor cells) and G1 (macrofoci of tumor cells). RESULTS: From 1996 to 1999, 50 patients with Ewing sarcoma were enrolled. The median age was 23.5 years (range, 4-56). Chemotherapy-induced necrosis (in 28 patients) was G3 in 36%, G2 in 21% and G1 in 43%. At a median follow-up of 110 months (range, 36-129), 5-year overall survival and event-free survival were 72% and 66%, respectively. According to histologic response, 5-year event-free survival was 90% in G3, 83% in G2, and 42% in G1 (P = 0.02). In adult and pediatric (<18 years) patients, the incidence of G4 leukopenia was 62% and 74%, respectively, with febrile neutropenia in 13% and 21%, respectively. G4 thrombocytopenia occurred in 3% of cycles in adults and in 7% in pediatric patients. Platelet and red blood cell transfusions were required respectively in 1% and 11% of cycles in adults and in 6% and 24% of cycles in pediatric patients. CONCLUSIONS: The six-drug combination can be administered safely in adult and pediatric populations. About 40% of patients have a poor chemotherapy-induced tumor necrosis, leading to poor probability of survival. New strategies are recommended to improve survival of poor responders to the six-drug combination.

Symptomatic malignant spinal cord compression in children: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC) is associated withpoor prognosis and may lead to permanent paralysis, sensory loss, and sphincter dysfunction. Very limited data are available on incidence and etiology of MSCC in pediatric population. We aimed to examine etiology, clinical presentation and treatment of pediatric patient with MSCC admitted to the Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy. METHODS: Forty-four children under 18 yearsadmitedsince 2007 and assessed for MSCC clinical presentations, evaluation, and treatment.were retrospectively collected from our institutional pediatric oncology and neurosurgery database. RESULTS: The median age at time of MSCC diagnosis was 52 months, with a peak in young (≤3 years) patients. The leading cause of MSCC was extramedullary tumors (63.6%), in particular neuroblastoma (27.2%) followed by Ewing sarcomas (15.9%). Cord compression was the presenting feature of a new malignancy in 33 (75%) patients, and a consequence of metastatic disease progression or relapse in the remaining 11 (25%) patients. Motor deficit was the initial symptoms of spinal compression in all patients, while pain was present in about 60% of patients, followed by sphincteric deficit (43.2%). The primary tumor site was located in the neck in 3 (6.8%) patients, thorax in 16 (36.4%), cervico-thoracic region in 3 (6.8%), thoraco-lumbar region in 8 (18.2%), abdomen in 5 (11.4%), lumbar-sacral region in 7 (15.9%) and thoracic-lumbar-sacral region in 1 (2.3%). The median length of the interval between symptom onset and tumor diagnosis varied widely from 0 to 360 days in the entire population, however this interval was significantly shorter in patients with known neoplasia in comparisonto patients with new diagnosis (at relapse 7 days [interquartile range 3-10] vs at diagnosis 23 days [7-60]). Pre and post-operative spine magnetic resonance imagingwas performed in all cases, and most(95%) patients underwent neurosurgical treatment as first treatment. Severe motor deficit was associated with younger age and severe motor deficit at diagnosis was associated withworst motor outcomes at discharge from neurosurgery. Patients with progression or relapsed disease showed a worst prognosis, while the majority of patients (70.5%) were alive at 5 years after diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The natural history of MSCC in children is associated to permanent paralysis, sensory loss, and sphincter dysfunction, thus prompt diagnosis and correct management are needed to minimize morbidity. Treatment strategies differed widely among cancer types and study groups in the absence of optimal evidence-based treatment guidelines. When the diagnosis is uncertain, surgery provides an opportunity to biopsy the lesion in addition to treating the mass.

Whole Lung Irradiation in Patients with Osteosarcoma and Ewing Sarcoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Whole lung irradiation (WLI) represents standard therapy for patients with pulmonary metastases from Ewing sarcoma although the impact on clinical outcomes and toxicity is still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate toxicity after WLI in patients with Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma as well as overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of studies on bilateral pulmonary irradiation treatments for prophylactic or curative therapy was performed based on PRISMA methodology. Data base searches on PubMed and Cochrane Library from the earliest time possible through 31st March 2018 were carried out. Combination with other treatments, such as chemotherapy and surgery were allowed. Only articles published in English were considered. RESULTS: Toxicity was evaluated in 13 of the 14 analyzed studies (640 patients). Reported lung acute toxicity grade ≥3 ranged between 0.0 and 12.2%. Three studies reported 12 cases (1.8%) of severe pneumonitis. Grade ≥2 late toxicity was mainly recorded in patients who received boost irradiation, previous thoracic surgery, chemotherapy or who were smokers. Lack of a significant impact of WLI on OS was reported in comparative studies although patients treated with WLI showed higher survival in most individual studies. CONCLUSION: Although the rate of severe toxicity was very low, the real impact of WLI on patients' outcomes remains unproven, probably due to the narrow dose limits that can be delivered to the whole lung parenchyma. New strategies to prevent or treat lung metastases in these patients should be tested. Ultra-fractionated radiotherapy concurrent with modern chemotherapy protocols could be tested in this setting due to the chemo-sensitizing effect and negligible radio-induced toxicity of fraction doses <0.5 Gy.

Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome/veno-occlusive disease after high-dose intravenous busulfan/melphalan conditioning therapy in high-risk Ewing Sarcoma.

This mono-institutional observational study was conducted to determine incidence, severity, risk factors, and outcome of sinusoidal obstruction syndrome/veno-occlusive disease (SOS/VOD) in high-risk Ewing sarcoma (ES) patients treated with intravenous busulfan and melphalan (BU-MEL) followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). During the past 10 years, 75 consecutive ES patients resulted evaluable for the analysis. After diagnosis of SOS/VOD, defibrotide therapy was started as soon as the medication was available. The variables analyzed as potential risk factors were: gender, patient's age at diagnosis, primary tumor site, disease stage, and prior radiation therapy (RT) given, focusing on RT liver exposure. The median age at diagnosis was 18.8 years. Five patients developed moderate to severe SOS/VOD (cumulative incidence, 6.67%). None of 32 pediatric patients (≤17 years) developed SOS/VOD (p = 0.0674). In univariate analysis, prior RT liver exposure resulted statistically significant (p = 0.0496). There was one death due to severe SOS/VOD. This study reports the largest series of high-risk ES patients treated with intravenous BU-MEL before ASCT. The incidence of SOS/VOD was lower when compared with other studies that used oral busulfan. Any prior RT liver exposure should be avoided. Earlier defibrotide treatment confirms to be effective.

Denosumab in patients with aneurysmal bone cysts: A case series with preliminary results.

PURPOSE:: Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a rare skeletal tumor usually treated with surgery/embolization. We hypothesized that owing to similarities with giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB), denosumab was active also in ABC. METHODS:: In this observational study, a retrospective analysis of ABC patients treated with denosumab was performed. Patients underwent radiologic disease assessment every 3 months. Symptoms and adverse events were noted. RESULTS:: Nine patients were identified (6 male, 3 female), with a median age of 17 years (range 14-42 years). Primary sites were 6 spine-pelvis, 1 ulna, 1 tibia, and 1 humerus. Patients were followed for a median time of 23 months (range 3-55 months). Patients received a median of 8 denosumab administrations (range 3-61). All symptomatic patients had pain relief and 1 had paresthesia improvement. Signs of denosumab activity were observed after 3 to 6 months of administration: bone formation by computed tomography scan was demonstrated in all patients and magnetic resonance imaging gadolinium contrast media decrease was observed in 7/9 patients. Adverse events were negligible. At last follow-up, all patients were progression-free: 5 still on denosumab treatment, 2 off denosumab were disease-free 11 and 17 months after surgery, and the last 2 patients reported no progression 12 and 24 months after denosumab interruption and no surgery. CONCLUSIONS:: Denosumab has substantial activity in ABCs, with favorable toxicity profile. We strongly support the use of surgery and/or embolization for the treatment of ABC, but denosumab could have a role as a therapeutic option in patients with uncontrollable, locally destructive, or recurrent disease.

Erratum to: Osteosarcoma follow-up: chest X-ray or computed tomography?

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13569-017-0067-5.].