Testicular germ cell tumors in adolescents - results of the protocol MAHO 98 and the identification of good risk patients.

BACKGROUND: In adolescents aged 10-15 years germ cell tumors of the testis (TGCT) are rare and information for a risk adapted therapy limited. AIMS OF THE STUDY: The protocol MAHO 98 for patients (pts) with TGCTs is stratified according to age, stage and histology. Pts ≥ 10 years received after tumororchiectomy 2 courses (crs) PVB and restaging. Residual tumor was resected and therapy continued in regard to inital stage and response. Chemotherapy: PVB: cisplatin (20 mg/m²/day 1-5), vinblastine (3 mg/m²/day 1+2), and bleomycin (15 U/m²/day 1-3). For consolidation 1 crs PVB has been given to stage II patients with CR. In case of PR, 2 crs PEB (vinblastine substituted by etoposide 100 mg/m²/day 1-3) or relapse 3 crs PEI (bleomycin substituted by ifosfamide 1 500 mg/m²/day 1-5) were given. RESULTS: Between Jan 1998 and Dec 2005, 34 pts (≥ 10 year) were registered, 31 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Median age: 15;6 years; months (range 13;5-20;2 ). Lugano staging: IA n=14, IB n=2, IC n=3, IIA n=4, IIB n=6, IIC n=1, IIIC n=1. The stage IIIC pt received preoperative chemotherapy, all other pts had tumororchiectomy first. Residual tumor after 2 crs PVB was detected in 4 pts and was resected. Late relapses occurred in 2 pts and were cured by additional therapy. All patients are surviving. CONCLUSION: Young patients with TGCT stage I and II have an excellent prognosis and further reduction of therapy has to be considered.

DICER1 hotspot mutations in non-epithelial gonadal tumours.

BACKGROUND: Non-epithelial gonadal tumours largely comprise sex cord-stromal tumours (SCSTs) and germ cell tumours (GCTs). Specific somatic mutations in DICER1, a microRNA maturation pathway gene, have been identified in these tumours. We conducted a study that aimed to confirm, refine and extend the previous observations. METHODS: We used Sanger sequencing to sequence the RNase IIIa and IIIb domains of DICER1 in 154 gonadal tumours from 135 females and 19 males, as well as 43 extra-gonadal GCTs from 26 females and 17 males. RESULTS: We identified heterozygous non-synonymous mutations in the RNase IIIb domain of DICER1 in 14/197 non-epithelial tumours (7.1%). Mutations were found in 9/28 SCSTs (32%), 5/118 gonadal GCTs (4.2%), 0/43 extra-gonadal GCTs and 0/8 miscellaneous tumours. The 14 mutations affected only five residues: E1705, D1709, E1788, D1810 and E1813. In all five patients where matched and constitutional DNA was available, the mutations were only somatic. There were no mutations found in the RNase IIIa domain. CONCLUSION: More than half (8/15) of Sertoli-Leydig cell tumours (SLCTs) harbour DICER1 mutations in the RNase IIIb domain, while mutations are rarely found in GCTs. Genetic alterations in SLCTs may aid in classification and provide new approaches to therapy.

Testicular sex cord stromal tumors: analysis of patients from the MAKEI study.

BACKGROUND: In children and adolescents, testicular sex cord stromal tumors (TSCSTs) are rare. There is only limited information available regarding their clinical presentation, biology, and prognosis. METHODS: Between 1993 and 2009, 42 patients were prospectively reported to the cooperative MAHO and MAKEI studies on childhood germ cell tumors. Based on standardized documentation, data on epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic features, histopathological differentiation, therapy, and follow-up were evaluated. RESULTS: During the study period, a gradual increase of the documentation of these rare tumors was observed. Palpable, indolent testicular swelling was the most common clinical finding. In three patients, retention of the testis was observed. Two patients showed sexual precocity, and one patient showed a 45X/46XY mosaic. Juvenile granulosa cell tumors (n = 16) and Sertoli cell tumor (n = 15) were the leading histopathological subtypes. The first were commonly diagnosed during the first weeks of life (median age: 6(0-162) days, the latter during infancy (median 7(0-14) months, P < 0.05). Other histological diagnoses included Leydig cell and Large Cell Calcifying Sertoli cell tumors (both n = 3) and not-otherwise-specified TSCSTs (n = 5), which were diagnosed during childhood and adolescence. All tumors were limited to the testis; there were no metastases. Treatment was surgical, only. After a median follow-up of 3.8 years, no relapse was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis and therapy of testicular tumors should be planned in accordance with the recommendations of the respective childhood germ cell tumor protocols. High inguinal orchiectomy is safe and constitutes definitive therapy. Diagnostic work-up and follow-up should also consider potentially associated tumor predisposition syndromes.

DICER1 syndrome: a new cancer syndrome.

Recently, germline mutations of DICER1 have been identified in patients with rare neoplasms suggesting the existence of a newly discovered cancer prone syndrome. Initially, DICER1 mutations were identified in patients with familial pleuropulmonary blastoma. Subsequently, additional manifestations of the syndrome have been identified including cystic nephroma, medulloepithelioma, Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor and others. The DICER1 gene encodes an enzyme that is involved in the biogenesis of microRNAs. The entire tumor spectrum and the respective tumor risks are unknown. We are in the process of launching a natural history study aimed at identifying more information on this new cancer syndrome.

Testicular germ cell tumors in boys <10 years: results of the protocol MAHO 98 in respect to surgery and watch & wait strategy.

UNLABELLED: In 1982 the GPOH opened the 1st protocol for germ cell tumors (GCTs) of the testis (MAHO 82). Here the results of the 5th version (MAHO 98) will be offered for boys <10 year of age.In MAHO 98 watch and wait (w&w) strategy after inguinal tumororchiectomy was widened from 2 to 10-year-old boys with YST stage IA (group I); other invasive measures were omitted. Thus the prognostic impact of a non-recommended surgery like transscrotal operation +/- conventional biopsy (group II) can be evaluated.Clinical diagnosis and staging by ultrasound and tumor marker. In blurry cases, a frozen section was recommended to confirm the diagnosis by histology intraoperatively. Indications for adjuvant chemotherapy were: YST stage IA without elevated AFP, YST stage>IA and all mixed malignant GCTs.From 1998 till 2005 128 boys <10 years with a testicular GCT were registered. HISTOLOGY: YST n=76, teratoma n=46, mixed malignant GCT n=6. Tumor stage IA: n=101. All teratoma patients survive event-free. At all, only 19/82 patients with a malignant GCT received chemotherapy including 5 patients with a tumor progress after w&w (2/49 group I and 3/15 group II patients, respectively) and 1 patient (YST IIIA) with relapse after adjuvant chemotherapy. Transscrotal surgery (n=18) or tumorenucleation (n=6) remained without event. Indeed all patients survived.Prognosis of boys <10 year with a testicular GCT is excellent as ~80% will be cured by high inguinal tumororchiectomy alone. w&w is feasible and safe even after not recommended surgery if suitable follow-up is assured at least in stage IA cases.

Molecular genetic analysis of bilateral ovarian germ cell tumors.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian germ cell tumors (oGCTs) are rare and highly heterogeneous with regard to their clinical and histologic appearance. The risk of tumor development is higher in children with aberrant sexual differentiation. Development of gonadoblastomas is seen in young women with 46,XY gonadal dysgenesis. At least 50 % of gonadoblastomas may develop into malignant oGCTs, mostly dysgerminomas. In this study, we evaluated bilateral oGCTs in clinically inapparent patients for sex chromosomal aberrations. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed tumor samples of 15 patients with synchronous bilateral oGCTs enrolled onto the consecutive MAKEI trials for non-testicular GCTs. Paraffin embedded samples from the Kiel German Childhood Tumor Registry were evaluated for the presence of Y-chromosomal sequences. Molecular genetic techniques included comparative genomic hybridization, polymerase chain reaction, and fluorescence in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Among 15 patients with bilateral oGCTs, Y-chromosomal DNA sequences were detected in 6 tumors. Both mature teratomas were negative for Y-chromosomal DNA. Thus, 5 of 12 malignant oGCTs and 1 immature teratoma (with elevated AFP) showed Y-chromosomal material. A 45(X,0) karyotype could not be demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: These investigations provide additional insight into the development of oGCTs: mature teratomas, which develop from postmeiotic germ cells, are not associated with gonadal dysgenesis. Bilateral immature teratomas, dysgerminomas and mixed malignant oGCTs may frequently show Y-chromosomal DNA, indicating underlying but clinically inapparent gonadal dysgenesis. Thus, the presence of aberrant Y-chromosomal sequences appears to be involved in tumor development in about half of these patients.

Rare cancers in children - The EXPeRT Initiative: a report from the European Cooperative Study Group on Pediatric Rare Tumors.

The low incidence and the heterogeneity of very rare tumors (VRTs) demand for international cooperation. In 2008, EXPeRT (European Cooperative Study Group for Pediatric Rare Tumors) was founded by national groups from Italy, France, United Kingdom, Poland and Germany. The first aims of EXPeRT were to agree on a uniform definition of VRTs and to develop the currently most relevant scientific questions. Current initiatives include international data exchange, retrospective and prospective studies of specific entities, and the development of harmonized and internationally recognized guidelines. Moreover, EXPeRT established a network for expert consultation to assist in clinical decision in VRTs.

Malignant pancreatic tumors in children and young adults: evaluation of 228 patients identified through the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result (SEER) database.

BACKGROUND: Malignant pancreatic tumors are rare in young patients, few epidemiologic data are available. We reviewed prognostic factors and outcome of 228 patients <30 years with malignant pancreatic tumors identified through the U.S. National Cancer Institute's SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) Public-use Database from 1973 to 2004. METHODS: Cases were grouped using the ICD-O-3. 5-year overall survival (OAS) was assessed by gender, ethnicity, SEER stage, and 5-year age intervals using univariate and Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: 228 patients with malignant pancreatic tumors were identified, resulting in an incidence of 0.46/million (100 carcinomas, 85 endocrine tumors, 8 solid pseudopapillary neoplasms (SPN), 11 pancreatoblastomas) in the USA. OAS was worse in males than females (37% vs. 55%, p=0.005). OAS according to stage was 87%, 68%, 21% for local (n=54), regional (n=42), distant metastatic disease (n=108), respectively. OAS of patients with carcinoma was 33%, endocrine tumors 58%, SPNs 88%, pancreatoblastomas 66%. Cox regression revealed stage (p=< 0.001), histology (p=< 0.001), age group (p=0.05) to be independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Malignant pancreatic tumors are extremely rare in children and young adults. Entities change over the age groups towards more carcinomas with worse outcome in older patients. Tumor stage, histology and age group are important predictors for outcome. International collaboration is needed to learn more about pediatric pancreatic tumors.

Complicated but successful treatment of a patient with ataxia telangiectasia and pre-B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Ataxia telangiectasia (AT, Louis-Bar-syndrome) is a rare autosomal-recessive inherited neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by ataxia, occulocutaneous telangiectasia, combined immunodeficiency and an increased risk of malignancies. Pediatric patients may develop lymphomas and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), especially of the T-lineage. The prognosis of the malignancies is impaired by the immunodeficiency and the susceptibility to ionising radiation and chemotherapeutics. CASE REPORT: Here, we first report on a patient with AT and pre B-cell ALL. The therapy was administered according to the medium risk arm of the ALL-BFM 2000 study protocol of the German Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology. Doses primarily of all alkylating agents, anthracyclins and methotrexate were individually reduced. During reinduction, the patient suffered from a candida pneumonia and sepsis aggravated by a parainfectious encephalitis. Over 1 year after the end of the maintenance therapy the patient is still in complete first remission. CONCLUSION: A general recommendation for dose modification in these patients group cannot be made due to the low number of patients suffering from AT and leukaemia. Central registration of these rare patients will potentially facilitate to develop effective chemotherapeutic strategies with tolerable toxicity.

Brain metastases in children and adolescents with extracranial germ cell tumor - data of the MAHO/MAKEI-registry.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed 15 children and adolescents with extracranial germ cell tumor (GCT) and brain metastases reported to the MAHO/MAKEI registry. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1982 and 2009, 2 077 patients were prospectively enrolled onto the MAHO/MAKEI studies (overall survival: 0.88+/-0.03). All patients with advanced malignant GCTs received cisplatin-based chemotherapy (overall survival: 0.81+/-0.04 (734/823). RESULTS: 15 patients with brain metastases were reported; in 6 of them at diagnosis and 9 respectively during follow-up (6 weeks-28 months after end of therapy, mean=10 months). Most patients were male (13/15) and adolescent (10/15). 8 patients suffered from mediastinal GCTs. Pure Choriocarcinoma (CC) or CC in combination with other histologies was diagnosed in 12 patients. Clinical symptoms were reported in most patients. In all patients with secondary brain metastases the previously normalised tumor markers AFP and/ or HCG increased again prior to the onset of neurological symptoms. Only 1 of the patients with primary brain metastases survived, whereas 4 of 9 with secondary metastases are in remission after additional treatment. CONCLUSION: The risk for intracranial metastases increases with age, male gender and mediastinal or testicular primary site and choriocarcinoma histology. Development of neurological symptoms at initial diagnosis or during follow-up should lead to rapid clinical re-evaluation including CNS imaging and assessment of tumor markers. Treatment of brain metastases includes intensified chemotherapy and surgical resection, irradiation has to be considered in special clinical situations.

Symptoms of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: red flags to recognize leukemia in daily practice.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to identify clinical "red flags" that may assist the general pediatrician in detecting patients with an acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical history and clinical findings of 189 children and adolescents, diagnosed with ALL between 1/1995 and 7/2004, were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Only 50% of patients presented with symptoms known in children with leukemia (fever, fatigue, paleness, hemorrhage); 5% were diagnosed accidentally in the absence of any clinical symptoms. The majority of patients had a medical history up to few weeks; in 11% of patients up to several months without impairing curability. 95% of the patients presented at diagnosis with enlargement of lymphnodes, liver and/or spleen. The characteristic laboratory constellation included mono-, respectively bi- or trilinear pathology of the blood count and with blasts in the blood smear. CONCLUSION: The clinical diagnosis of ALL relies on physical examination and the blood count including microscopic examination. Therefore, the alertness of the treating paediatrician with regard to clinical findings and a pathologic blood count is more important than elaborate laboratory investigations. In uncertain cases, a close follow-up examination may help to unmask ALL, which will most likely be stratified in the low-risk-group.

Long time survival after reduced chemotherapy ina 15-year-old patient with AML and Candida krusei sepsis and eye involvement.

A 15-year-old boy with AML develops a fulminant candida krusei sepsis complicated by acute blindness due to enophthalmitis and subsequent bleeding during prolonged pancytopenia after induction therapy. Despite a low dose prophylaxis with oral nystatine and i. v. amphotericin B (ampho B) three times a week (0.8 mg/kg). Under an early intensified therapy with ampho B (1.5 mg/kg/d) combined with 5-flucytosin (160 mg/kg/d)the sepsis could be controlled and visual acuity slowly improved. A vitrectomy is due to the bleeding unavoidable. Despite a therapy delay of 4 weeks and omission of two cycles of the intensification treatment the patient is in continuous complete remission for longer than 10 years after diagnosis. If it is within the treatment protocols manageable to detect patients with increased sensitivity against cytostatic drugs and correspondingly highly sensitive leukemic cells, such complications could be avoided due to primary treatment adaptation.

Survival after an antiangiogenetic therapy and surgery in a wide spread growing teratoma originating from a testicular mixed malignant germ cell tumor.

Growing teratoma is still an often unsolved problem especially in male with mixed malignant GCTs of the testis or the mediastinum. This specific situation with progressive tumor growth and simultaneous normalization of tumor markers during or after treatment of malignant GCTs with teratomatous elements is judged as a fatal situation if this situation can not be controlled by extensive surgery, as teratoma are not sensible to chemotherapy or irradiation. Here, we report the case history of a 17-year old male patient with a testicular malignant GCT and wide spread lymph node metastases, who developed a rapidly progressive growing teratoma within the lymph node metastases. Within the molecular profile of the tumor we could find a cytogenetic picture typically found in malignant adult GCTs. In view of the bulky abdominal, thoracic and cervical metastases and the uncontrolled tumor progression, the situation was considered incurable. However, following an individual treatment attempt, this patient was treated with a four-agent combination of drugs with antiangiogenetic potential as well as low-dose cyclic chemotherapy. This approach resulted in a sustained disease stabilization followed by extensive surgical resection of the metastases. We therefore would like to highlight this treatment approach in unresectable growing teratoma and would like to stimulate further research and collaboration to come to an optimized treatment suggestion for this group of poor prognostic patients.

Networking for children and adolescents with very rare tumors: foundation of the GPOH Pediatric Rare Tumor Group.

In comparison to cancer in adults, virtually all cancers of childhood and adolescence are rare. Nevertheless, there is a rather ill-defined group of tumors that are not only exceptionally rare but also do not fall into the major clinical categories of childhood cancers. Thus, a substantial proportion of these exceptionally rare tumors are not registered within clinical registries or prospective therapy optimization studies. Only recently, major attention has been drawn to the diagnostic assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with such orphan diseases. In 2006, the RARE TUMOR GROUP has been established within the German Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology (GPOH). This working group includes experts from Pediatric Oncology, Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Pathology, Medical, Dermatologic and Radiation Oncology as well as Pediatric Epidemiology. The major aim of the rare tumor group is to integrate these patients into the diagnostic and therapeutic network successfully established in the pediatric oncologic society. Thus, the group aims at fostering the exchange of experience in the treatment of rare tumors between medical centers and to include patients in the diagnostic and therapeutic reference network. In addition, an information platform shall be established that will be accessible to treating physicians, patients and their parents. More information and better registration shall be established by active data accrual on a regular basis and by the implementation of a data base including diagnostic and therapeutic data of patients with rare tumors. These efforts as presented in this article as well as an intensified international collaboration will allow us to provide children and adolescents with rare tumors the best possible care.

Trends in infections in children with malignant disease in 2000: comparison of data of 1980/81.

Children with cancer have an overall chance of survival of 70-80%. Despite significant advances in supportive care during the last years, infections remain a major cause of therapy-associated morbidity and death. Between January and December 2000, oncology patients (ONC) treated on a pediatric oncology ward after chemotherapy (n = 109), loco-regional thermochemotherapy (n = 13), or hematopoietic stem cell (HSCT) transplantation (n = 35) suffered a total of 249 febrile infectious complications (HSCT 40/ONC 209). These episodes were analyzed retrospectively and compared with 125 ONC patients with 133 febrile infections in 1980/81. The relative incidence of fever of unknown origin (FUO) decreased from 1980/81 to 2000 (p <.001). The frequency of bloodstream infections (BSI) in febrile episodes was comparable in both periods with 37% (50/135) in 1980 and 29% (72/249) in 2000. In both periods, gram-positive bacteria were the most frequent organisms, whereas gram-negative organisms were detected in approximately 20% of BSI. In 1980/81 microbiologically (MDI) or clinically documented infections (CDI) were not detected, whereas in 2000 27% of all infectious were MDI/CDI. During the last 20 years, improved diagnostic tools have resulted in an increased detection rate of infectious agents causing febrile episodes in pediatric cancer patients. The comparison of the two observation periods did not reveal a change in the microbiologic spectrum. Despite the fact that in 2000 more patients were treated with intensified chemotherapy because of relapse, infection-related mortality was unchanged compared to 1980/81. This observation may indicate a sufficient preemptive antibacterial therapy followed by better diagnostic tools and goal-oriented treatment.

Long-term FVII substitution in a preterm infant with severe gastrointestinal bleeding and FVII deficiency due to a homozygous donor splice mutation IVS4+1G-->A.

Congenital FVII deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder. Clinical complications are similar to those seen in hemophilia A, and an increased incidence of intracerebral hemorrhage related to birth trauma has been reported. The authors report on an infant who presented at the second day of life with melaena and hematemesis caused by congenital FVII deficiency with minimal activity of 4%. A homozygous mutation IVS4+G-->A, formerly described in 2 siblings, who died of brain hemorrhage within the first month of life, was identified. Severe bleeding events were prevented with prophylactic treatment. Early identification of the underlying mutation helps to assess the risk of hemorrhage and prevent severe bleeding by prophylactic FVII therapy.

Multipoint imprinting analysis indicates a common precursor cell for gonadal and nongonadal pediatric germ cell tumors.

Pediatric germ cell tumors (GCTs) commonly arise at extragonadal sites. It has been proposed that nongonadal GCTs arise from ectopic primordial germ cells that have aberrantly migrated during embryogenesis. During a time between their migration and development to mature gametes, primordial germ cells are characterized by their lack of imprinting, which can be assessed by the evaluation of allelic gene expression and DNA methylation in differentially methylated control regions. To elucidate the cellular origin of nongonadal GCTs, we evaluated the imprinting status of 21 gonadal and 21 nongonadal pediatric GCTs. Allele-specific H19 and IGF-2 expression was assessed with reverse transcription-PCR followed by digestion at polymorphic restriction sites. DNA methylation was evaluated after bisulfite modification, PCR amplification, and restriction digestion at a consistently methylated CpG dinucleotide within the 5' flanking region of the SNRPN gene. These results were compared with genetic gains and losses determined by comparative genomic hybridization. Seven of 15 informative tumors showed biallelic H19 expression, and 8 of 17 informative tumors showed biallelic IGF-2 expression. The frequency of biallelic gene expression was comparable in gonadal and nongonadal GCTs. Sixteen of 19 gonadal GCTs and 17 of 21 nongonadal GCTs showed absence of methylation of SNRPN consistent with loss of imprinting. One testicular GCT and three nongonadal GCTs showed a somatic methylation pattern. Two ovarian teratomas and one mediastinal teratoma showed only methylated SNRPN, consistent with entry into meiosis. Twenty-one of 22 non-GCT control samples showed a somatic methylation pattern. Gonadal and nongonadal germ cell tumors are derived from primordial germ cells that have consistently lost the imprinting of SNRPN and partly lost imprinting of H19 and IGF-2. Because the imprinting pattern of the latter genes differs from that found in testicular GCTs of adult patients, our data suggest that pediatric GCTs arise from a different stage of germ cell development.