Prevalence of carotid ultrasound screening in survivors of childhood cancer: A report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

INTRODUCTION: Many childhood cancer survivors are at risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke. The North American Children's Oncology Group long-term follow-up guidelines recommend carotid ultrasound in cancer survivors 10 years after neck radiation therapy (RT) ≥40 Gy. The use of carotid ultrasound in this population has not been described. METHODS: Survivors of childhood cancer diagnosed 1970-1999 (N = 8693) and siblings (N = 1989) enrolled in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study were asked if they had ever had a carotid ultrasound. Prevalence of carotid ultrasound was evaluated. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were evaluated in multivariate Poisson regression models. RESULTS: Among participants with no reported cardiovascular condition, prevalence of carotid ultrasound among survivors with RT ≥40 Gy to the neck (N = 172) was 29.7% (95% CI, 22.5-36.8), significantly higher than those with <40 Gy (prevalence 10.7%; 95% CI, 9.9%-11.4%). Siblings without a cardiovascular condition (N = 1621) had the lowest prevalence of carotid ultrasound (4.7%; 95% CI, 3.6%-5.7%). In a multivariable models among survivors with no reported cardiovascular condition and RT ≥40 Gy to the neck, those who were over age 50 (vs. 18-49) at follow-up (PR = 1.82; 95% CI, 1.09-3.05), with a history of seeing a cancer specialist in the last 2 years (PR = 2.58; 95% CI, 1.53-4.33), or having a colonoscopy (PR = 2.02; 95% CI, 1.17-3.48) or echocardiogram (PR = 6.42; 95% CI, 1.54-26.85) were more likely to have had a carotid ultrasound. CONCLUSION: Many survivors do not undergo carotid ultrasound despite meeting existing guidelines. Health care delivery features such as having seen a cancer specialist or having other testing are relevant.

Belzutifan, a Potent HIF2α Inhibitor, in the Pacak-Zhuang Syndrome.

The integration of genomic testing into clinical care enables the use of individualized approaches to the management of rare diseases. We describe the use of belzutifan, a potent and selective small-molecule inhibitor of the protein hypoxia-inducible factor 2α (HIF2α), in a patient with polycythemia and multiple paragangliomas (the Pacak-Zhuang syndrome). The syndrome was caused in this patient by somatic mosaicism for an activating mutation in EPAS1. Treatment with belzutifan led to a rapid and sustained tumor response along with resolution of hypertension, headaches, and long-standing polycythemia. This case shows the application of a targeted therapy for the treatment of a patient with a rare tumor-predisposition syndrome. (Funded by the Morin Family Fund for Pediatric Cancer and Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.).

Current surgical approach: Extracranial malignant germ cell tumors.

Germ cell tumors (GCT) are a complex, heterogeneous collection of tumors that may present in either gonadal or extragonadal sites. They consist of a variety of benign and malignant histologies that can occur at several locations throughout the body. An important component of treatment is surgical resection, and while the key components of resection are site specific, the universal goals of GCT resection include the complete resection of tumor without violating the tumor capsule, while preserving function of surrounding organs, minimizing morbidity, and assessing for regional spread.

Long-term outcomes among survivors of childhood osteosarcoma: A report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS).

PURPOSE: Treatment strategies for osteosarcoma evolving between 1970 and 1999 improved 5-year survival and continue as standard of care today. This report evaluates the impact of these evolving therapies on long-term health outcomes. METHODS: Five-year survivors of childhood osteosarcoma in CCSS treated from 1970 to 1999 were evaluated for late (>5 years from diagnosis) mortality, chronic health conditions (CHCs), and health status using piecewise-exponential and logistical models. Comparisons were made between survivors and siblings without cancer, and among survivors examining historical and current standard chemotherapies (e.g., methotrexate/doxorubicin/cisplatin [MAP] vs. others), specific chemotherapy agents and surgical approaches (amputation vs. limb salvage [LS]). Models were evaluated adjusting for attained age, sex, race, ethnicity, and age at diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 1257 survivors of osteosarcoma were followed on average for 24.4 years. Twenty-year all-cause late mortality was 13.3% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 11.7%-14.9%) overall and 11.7% (95% CI: 6.9%-16.5%) for the subset treated with MAP plus LS. Survivors were at higher risk of CHCs (rate ratio [RR] 3.7, 95% CI: 3.2-4.3) than the sibling cohort, most notably having more serious cardiac, musculoskeletal, and hearing CHCs. Within the survivor cohort, the risk of severe CHCs was twice as high with MAP versus no chemotherapy (RR 2.1, 95% CI: 1.3-3.4). Compared with primary amputation, serious musculoskeletal CHCs were higher after LS (RR 6.6, 95% CI: 3.6-13.4), without discernable differences in health status. CONCLUSION: Contemporary osteosarcoma therapy with MAP plus LS, while improving 5-year disease-free survival, continues to be associated with a high burden of late mortality, CHCs, and health status limitations.

Cumulative burden of late, major surgical intervention in survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) cohort.

BACKGROUND: Multimodal cancer therapy places childhood cancer survivors at increased risk for chronic health conditions, subsequent malignancies, and premature mortality as they age. We aimed to estimate the cumulative burden of late (>5 years from cancer diagnosis), major surgical interventions among childhood cancer survivors, compared with their siblings, and to examine associations between specific childhood cancer treatments and the burden of late surgical interventions. METHODS: We analysed data from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS), a retrospective cohort study with longitudinal prospective follow-up of 5-year survivors of childhood cancer (diagnosed before age 21 years) treated at 31 institutions in the USA, with a comparison group of nearest-age siblings of survivors selected by simple random sampling. The primary outcome was any self-reported late, major surgical intervention (defined as any anaesthesia-requiring operation) occurring 5 years or more after the primary cancer diagnosis. The cumulative burden was assessed with mean cumulative counts (MCC) of late, major surgical interventions. Piecewise exponential regression models with calculation of adjusted rate ratios (RRs) evaluated associations between treatment exposures and late, major surgical interventions. FINDINGS: Between Jan 1, 1970, and Dec 31, 1999, 25 656 survivors were diagnosed (13 721 male, 11 935 female; median follow-up 21·8 years [IQR 16·5-28·4]; median age at diagnosis 6·1 years [3·0-12·4]); 5045 nearest-age siblings were also included as a comparison group. Survivors underwent 28 202 late, major surgical interventions and siblings underwent 4110 late, major surgical interventions. The 35-year MCC of a late, major surgical intervention was 206·7 per 100 survivors (95% CI 202·7-210·8) and 128·9 per 100 siblings (123·0-134·7). The likelihood of a late, major surgical intervention was higher in survivors versus siblings (adjusted RR 1·8, 95% CI 1·7-1·9) and in female versus male survivors (1·4; 1·4-1·5). Survivors diagnosed in the 1990s (adjusted RR 1·4, 95% CI 1·3-1·5) had an increased likelihood of late surgery compared with those diagnosed in the 1970s. Survivors received late interventions more frequently than siblings in most anatomical regions or organ systems, including CNS (adjusted RR 16·9, 95% CI 9·4-30·4), endocrine (6·7, 5·2-8·7), cardiovascular (6·6, 5·2-8·3), respiratory (5·3, 3·4-8·2), spine (2·4, 1·8-3·2), breast (2·1, 1·7-2·6), renal or urinary (2·0, 1·5-2·6), musculoskeletal (1·5, 1·4-1·7), gastrointestinal (1·4, 1·3-1·6), and head and neck (1·2, 1·1-1·4) interventions. Survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma (35-year MCC 333·3 [95% CI 320·1-346·6] per 100 survivors), Ewing sarcoma (322·9 [294·5-351·3] per 100 survivors), and osteosarcoma (269·6 [250·1-289·2] per 100 survivors) had the highest cumulative burdens of late, major surgical interventions. Locoregional surgery or radiotherapy cancer treatment were associated with undergoing late surgical intervention in the same body region or organ system. INTERPRETATION: Childhood cancer survivors have a significant burden of late, major surgical interventions, a late effect that has previously been poorly quantified. Survivors would benefit from regular health-care evaluations aiming to anticipate impending surgical issues and to intervene early in the disease course when feasible. FUNDING: US National Institutes of Health, US National Cancer Institute, American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities, and St Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Efficacy and Safety of Tacrolimus or Infliximab Therapy in Children and Young Adults With Acute Severe Colitis.

INTRODUCTION: One-third of children and young adults admitted for management of acute severe colitis (ASC) fail intravenous corticosteroids. Infliximab (IFX) or tacrolimus (TAC) is often used to prevent urgent colectomy in these patients. However, no prior studies have reviewed the outcome of pediatric patients with ASC who were treated with either IFX or TAC. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 170 pediatric patients with ASC admitted to our institution who did not respond to intravenous corticosteroids and were subsequently treated with either IFX or TAC. We compared 6-month colectomy rates, time to colectomy, improvement in disease activity indices, and adverse effects. RESULTS: The mean age of patients in the IFX (n = 84) and TAC (n = 86) groups were 14 and 13.8 years, respectively. The median study follow-up time was 23 months. The rate of colectomy 6 months from rescue therapy was similar whether patients received IFX or TAC (22.6% vs 26.7%, respectively, P = 0.53). The mean decline in Pediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index scores from admission to discharge in those treated with IFX (31.9) or TAC (29.8) was similar (P = 0.63). Three patients treated with IFX experienced infusion reactions. Six patients treated with TAC experienced changes in renal function or electrolytes, and 4 patients reported neurologic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in the likelihood of colectomy 6 months after initiating IFX or TAC rescue therapy. Efficacy of both agents was comparable. The types of adverse effects differed by therapy. These data support the use of either TAC or IFX in children with ASC refractory to intravenous corticosteroids.

What Are Risk Factors for and Outcomes of Late Amputation After Treatment for Lower Extremity Sarcoma: A Childhood Cancer Survivor Study Report.

BACKGROUND: Although pediatric lower extremity sarcoma once was routinely treated with amputation, multiagent chemotherapy as well as the evolution of tumor resection and reconstruction techniques have enabled the wide adoption of limb salvage surgery (LSS). Even though infection and tumor recurrence are established risk factors for early amputation (< 5 years) after LSS, the frequency of and factors associated with late amputation (≥ 5 years from diagnosis) in children with sarcomas are not known. Additionally, the resulting psychosocial and physical outcomes of these patients compared with those treated with primary amputation or LSS that was not complicated by subsequent amputation are not well studied. Studying these outcomes is critical to enhancing the quality of life of patients with sarcomas. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) How have treatments changed over time in patients with lower extremity sarcoma who are included in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS), and did primary treatment with amputation or LSS affect overall survival at 25 years among patients who had survived at least 5 years from diagnosis? (2) What is the cumulative incidence of amputation after LSS for patients diagnosed with pediatric lower extremity sarcomas 25 years after diagnosis? (3) What are the factors associated with time to late amputation (≥ 5 years after diagnosis) in patients initially treated with LSS for lower extremity sarcomas in the CCSS? (4) What are the comparative social, physical, and emotional health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes among patients with sarcoma treated with primary amputation, LSS without amputation, or LSS complicated by late amputation, as assessed by CCSS follow-up questionnaires, the SF-36, and the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 at 20 years after cancer diagnosis? METHODS: The CCSS is a long-term follow-up study that began in 1994 and is coordinated through St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. It is a retrospective study with longitudinal follow-up of more than 38,000 participants treated for childhood cancer when younger than 21 years at one of 31 collaborating institutions between 1970 and 1999 in the United States and Canada. Participants were eligible for enrollment in the CCSS after they had survived 5 years from diagnosis. Within the CCSS cohort, we included participants who had a diagnosis of lower extremity sarcoma treated with primary amputation (547 patients with a mean age at diagnosis of 13 ± 4 years) or primary LSS (510 patients with a mean age 14 ± 4 years). The LSS cohort was subdivided into LSS without amputation, defined as primary LSS without amputation at the time of latest follow-up; LSS with early amputation, defined as LSS complicated by amputation occurring less than 5 years from diagnosis; or LSS with late amputation, defined as primary LSS in study patients who subsequently underwent amputation 5 years or more from cancer diagnosis. The cumulative incidence of late amputation after primary LSS was estimated. Cox proportional hazards regression with time-varying covariates identified factors associated with late amputation. Modified Poisson regression models were used to compare psychosocial, physical, and HRQOL outcomes among patients treated with primary amputation, LSS without amputation, or LSS complicated by late amputation using validated surveys. RESULTS: More study participants were treated with LSS than with primary amputation in more recent decades. The overall survival at 25 years in this population who survived 5 years from diagnosis was not different between those treated with primary amputation (87% [95% confidence interval [CI] 82% to 91%]) compared with LSS (88% [95% CI 85% to 91%]; p = 0.31). The cumulative incidence of amputation at 25 years after cancer diagnosis and primary LSS was 18% (95% CI 14% to 21%). With the numbers available, the cumulative incidence of late amputation was not different among study patients treated in the 1970s (27% [95% CI 15% to 38%]) versus the 1980s and 1990s (19% [95% CI 13% to 25%] and 15% [95% CI 10% to 19%], respectively; p = 0.15). After controlling for gender, medical and surgical treatment variables, cancer recurrence, and chronic health conditions, gender (hazard ratio [HR] 2.02 [95% CI 1.07 to 3.82]; p = 0.03) and history of prosthetic joint reconstruction (HR 2.58 [95% CI 1.37 to 4.84]; p = 0.003) were associated with an increased likelihood of late amputation. Study patients treated with a primary amputation (relative risk [RR] 2.04 [95% CI 1.15 to 3.64]) and LSS complicated by late amputation (relative risk [RR] 3.85 [95% CI 1.66 to 8.92]) were more likely to be unemployed or unable to attend school than patients treated with LSS without amputation to date. The CCSS cohort treated with primary amputation and those with LSS complicated by late amputation reported worse physical health scores than those without amputation to date, although mental and emotional health outcomes did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: There is a substantial risk of late amputation after LSS, and both primary and late amputation status are associated with decreased physical HRQOL outcomes. Children treated for sarcoma who survive into adulthood after primary amputation and those who undergo late amputation after LSS may benefit from interventions focused on improving physical function and reaching educational and employment milestones. Efforts to improve the physical function of people who have undergone amputation either through prosthetic design or integration into the residuum should be supported. Understanding factors associated with late amputation in the setting of more modern surgical approaches and implants will help surgeons more effectively manage patient expectations and adjust practice to mitigate these risks over the life of the patient. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study.

Pattern and predictors of sites of relapse in neuroblastoma: A report from the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) project.

PURPOSE: We sought to analyze biologic, clinical, and prognostic differences according to pattern of failure at the time of first relapse in neuroblastoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Children <21 years diagnosed with neuroblastoma between 1989 and 2017 with known site of first relapse (isolated local vs. distant only vs. combined local and distant sites) were identified from the International Neuroblastoma Risk Group (INRG) database. Data were compared between sites of relapse according to clinical features, biologic features, initial treatment, time to first relapse, and overall survival (OS) from time of first relapse. RESULTS: Pattern of first relapse among 1833 children was 19% isolated local; 65% distant only; and 16% combined sites. All evaluated clinical and biologic variables with exception of tumor diagnosis differed statistically by relapse pattern, with patients with isolated local failure having more favorable prognostic features. Patients with stage 3 disease were more likely to have isolated local failure compared to all other stages (49% vs. 16%; p < .001). OS significantly differed by relapse pattern (5-year OS ± SE): isolated local: 64% ± 3%; distant only: 23% ± 2%; and combined: 26% ± 4% (p < .001). After controlling for age, stage, and MYCN status, patients with isolated local failure (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.33-0.62; p < .001) and distant-only failure (adjusted HR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.45-0.71; p < .001) remained at decreased risk for death as compared to patients with combined failure. CONCLUSION: Patients with distant-only and combined failures have a higher proportion of unfavorable clinical and biological features, and a lower survival than those with isolated local relapse.

Epidemiology of abdominal wall and groin hernia repairs in children.

PURPOSE: We sought to estimate the prevalence, incidence, and timing of surgery for elective and non-elective hernia repairs. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study, abstracting data on children < 18 years from the 2005-2014 DoD Military Health System Data Repository, which includes > 3 million dependents of U.S. Armed Services members. Our primary outcome was initial hernia repair (inguinal, umbilical, ventral, or femoral), stratified by elective versus non-elective repair and by age. We calculated prevalence, incidence rate, and time from diagnosis to repair. RESULTS: 19,398 children underwent hernia repair (12,220 inguinal, 5761 umbilical, 1373 ventral, 44 femoral). Prevalence of non-elective repairs ranged from 6% (umbilical) to 22% (ventral). Incidence rates of elective repairs ranged from 0.03 [95% CI: 0.02-0.04] (femoral) to 8.92 [95% CI: 8.76-9.09] (inguinal) per 10,000 person-years, while incidence rates of non-elective repairs ranged from 0.005 [95% CI: 0.002-0.01] (femoral) to 0.68 [95% CI: 0.64-0.73] (inguinal) per 10,000 person-years. Inguinal (median = 20, interquartile range [IQR] = 0-46 days), ventral (median = 23, IQR = 5-62 days), and femoral hernias (median = 0, IQR = 0-12 days) were repaired more promptly and with less variation than umbilical hernias (median = 66, IQR = 23-422 days). CONCLUSIONS: These data describe the burden of hernia repair in the U.S. The large variation in time between diagnosis and repair by hernia type identifies an important area of research to understand mechanisms underlying such heterogeneity and determine the ideal timing for repair. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognosis study II.

Opioid Prescription Patterns for Children Following Laparoscopic Appendectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe variability in and consequences of opioid prescriptions following pediatric laparoscopic appendectomy. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Postoperative opioid prescribing patterns may contribute to persistent opioid use in both adults and children. METHODS: We included children <18 years enrolled as dependents in the Military Health System Data Repository who underwent uncomplicated laparoscopic appendectomy (2006-2014). For the primary outcome of days of opioids prescribed, we evaluated associations with discharging service, standardized to the distribution of baseline covariates. Secondary outcomes included refill, Emergency Department (ED) visit for constipation, and ED visit for pain. RESULTS: Among 6732 children, 68% were prescribed opioids (range = 1-65 d, median = 4 d, IQR = 3-5 d). Patients discharged by general surgery services were prescribed 1.23 (95% CI = 1.06-1.42) excess days of opioids, compared with those discharged by pediatric surgery services. Risk of ED visit for constipation (n = 61, 1%) was increased with opioid prescription [1-3 d, risk ratio (RR) = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.31-5.78; 4-6 d, RR = 1.89, 95% CI = 0.83-4.67; 7-14 d, RR = 3.75, 95% CI = 1.38-9.44; >14 d, RR = 6.27, 95% CI = 1.23-19.68], compared with no opioid prescription. There was similar or increased risk of ED visit for pain (n = 319, 5%) with opioid prescription [1-3 d, RR = 1.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.74-1.32; 4-6 d, RR = 1.31, 95% CI = 0.99-1.73; 7-14 d, RR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.00-2.18], compared with no opioid prescription. Likewise, need for refill (n = 157, 3%) was not associated with initial days of opioid prescribed (reference 1-3 d; 4-6 d, RR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.68-1.35; 7-14 d, RR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.49-1.46; and >14 d, RR = 1.22, 95% CI = 0.59-2.07). CONCLUSIONS: There was substantial variation in opioid prescribing patterns. Opioid prescription duration increased risk of ED visits for constipation, but not for pain or refill.

The use of interval-compressed chemotherapy with the addition of vincristine, irinotecan, and temozolomide for pediatric patients with newly diagnosed desmoplastic small round cell tumor.

BACKGROUND: Desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) is a rare aggressive sarcoma that affects children and young adults, and portends poor outcomes despite intensive multimodal treatment approaches. We report toxicity, response, and outcomes of patients with DSRCT treated with the addition of vincristine, irinotecan, and temozolomide (VIT) to interval-compressed chemotherapy as per Children's Oncology Group ARST08P1. METHODS: All newly diagnosed pediatric patients with DSRCT treated at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children's Hospital between 2014 and 2019 as per ARST08P1, Arm P2 with replacement of VAC cycles with VIT, were identified. Medical records were reviewed for clinical and disease characteristics, and treatment response and outcomes. RESULTS: Six patients were treated as per the above regimen. Median age at diagnosis was 15.1 years (range 3.2-16.4) and five patients were male. Five patients had abdominal primary tumors, of which one had exclusively intraabdominal and four had extraabdominal metastases. Two initial cycles of VIT were well tolerated with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation as the most common adverse events. Overall response rate defined as partial or complete response after two initial cycles of VIT was 50%. For local control, all patients had surgical resection followed by radiotherapy, and two patients received hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy at the time of surgery. Of the four patients who have completed therapy to date, three remain disease-free with median follow-up time of 46.7 months. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of VIT to interval-compressed chemotherapy is tolerable and active in DSRCT, with activity warranting additional investigation.

Therapeutic Impact and Complications Associated with Surgical Lung Biopsy after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in the pediatric population is associated with pulmonary complications in 25% of recipients. The role of surgical lung biopsy (SLB) remains unclear because of concerns about both the therapeutic impact and morbidity associated with the procedure. A retrospective review of consecutive allogeneic HSCT recipients at Dana-Farber and Boston Children's Hospital Cancer and Blood Disorders Center between 2006 and 2016 was performed. All recipients who underwent SLB during the study period were identified and charts reviewed for perioperative complications, histopathologic findings, and changes in therapy delivered. Pearson's chi-square test and Student's t-test (or appropriate nonparametric test) were used to evaluate the associations between perioperative complication and categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Five hundred fifty-five HSCTs were included, among which 48 SLBs (8.6%) were identified. Median follow-up time was 24 months (range, 0 to 139). Thirty-day postoperative morbidity was 16.7% and 30-day postoperative mortality 10.4% (n = 5). The overall 30-day postoperative complication rate (including mortality) was 20.8% (n = 10). No mortalities were directly attributable to SLB. Definitive diagnoses were identified in 70.8% of SLBs (n = 34), and therapeutic changes occurred in 79.2% (n = 38). Overall, 83.3% of SLBs (n = 40) either provided a diagnosis or led to a change in therapy. SLB has an acceptable risk of perioperative complications in this medically complicated and often severely ill population. In most HSCT patients, SLB aids in defining the etiology of pulmonary infiltrates and can inform therapeutic decisions in patients where noninvasive diagnostic modalities have failed to provide a definitive diagnosis.

Late-onset anorectal disease and psychosocial impact in survivors of childhood cancer: A report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence and associated psychosocial morbidity of late-onset anorectal disease after surgery and radiotherapy for the treatment of childhood cancer are not known. METHODS: A total of 25,530 survivors diagnosed between 1970 and 1999 (median age at cancer diagnosis, 6.1 years; age at survey, 30.2 years) and 5036 siblings were evaluated for late-onset anorectal disease, which was defined as a self-reported fistula-in-ano, self-reported anorectal stricture, or pathology- or medical record-confirmed anorectal subsequent malignant neoplasm (SMN) 5 or more years after the primary cancer diagnosis. Piecewise exponential models compared the survivors and siblings and examined associations between cancer treatments and late-onset anorectal disease. Multiple logistic regression with generalized estimating equations was used to evaluate associations between late-onset anorectal disease and emotional distress, as defined by the Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI-18), and health-related quality of life, as defined by the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: By 45 years after the diagnosis, 394 survivors (fistula, n = 291; stricture, n = 116; anorectal SMN, n = 26) and 84 siblings (fistula, n = 73; stricture, n = 23; anorectal neoplasm, n = 1) had developed late-onset anorectal disease (adjusted rate ratio [RR] for survivors vs siblings, 1.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-1.5). Among survivors, pelvic radiotherapy with ≥30 Gy within 5 years of the cancer diagnosis was associated with late-onset anorectal disease (adjusted RR for 30-49.9 Gy vs none, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.3; adjusted RR for ≥50 Gy vs none, 5.4; 95% CI, 3.1-9.2). Late-onset anorectal disease was associated with psychosocial impairment in all BSI-18 and SF-36 domains. CONCLUSIONS: Late-onset anorectal disease was more common among childhood cancer survivors who received higher doses of pelvic radiotherapy and was associated with substantial psychosocial morbidity.

Comparison of Military Health System Data Repository and American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric.

BACKGROUND: Given the rarity of pediatric surgical disease, it is important to consider available large-scale data resources as a means to better study and understand relevant disease-processes and their treatments. The Military Health System Data Repository (MDR) includes claims-based information for > 3 million pediatric patients who are dependents of members and retirees of the United States Armed Services, but has not been externally validated. We hypothesized that demographics and selected outcome metrics would be similar between MDR and the previously validated American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric (NSQIP-P) for several common pediatric surgical operations. METHODS: We selected five commonly performed pediatric surgical operations: appendectomy, pyeloplasty, pyloromyotomy, spinal arthrodesis for scoliosis, and facial reconstruction for cleft palate. Among children who underwent these operations, we compared demographics (age, sex, and race) and clinical outcomes (length of hospital stay [LOS] and mortality) in the MDR and NSQIP-P, including all available overlapping years (2012-2014). RESULTS: Age, sex, and race were generally similar between the NSQIP-P and MDR. Specifically, these demographics were generally similar between the resources for appendectomy (NSQIP-P, n = 20,602 vs. MDR, n = 4363; median age 11 vs. 12 years; female 40% vs. 41%; white 75% vs. 84%), pyeloplasty (NSQIP-P, n = 786 vs. MDR, n = 112; median age 0.9 vs. 2 years; female 28% vs. 28%; white 71% vs. 80%), pyloromyotomy, (NSQIP-P, n = 3827 vs. MDR, n = 227; median age 34 vs. < 1 year, female 17% vs. 16%; white 76% vs. 89%), scoliosis surgery (NSQIP-P, n = 5743 vs. MDR, n = 95; median age 14.2 vs. 14 years; female 75% vs. 67%; white 72% vs. 75%), and cleft lip/palate repair (NSQIP-P, n = 6202 vs. MDR, n = 749; median age, 1 vs. 1 year; female 42% vs. 45%; white 69% vs. 84%). Length of stay and 30-day mortality were similar between resources. LOS and 30-day mortality were also similar between datasets. CONCLUSION: For the selected common pediatric surgical operations, patients included in the MDR were comparable to those included in the validated NSQIP-P. The MDR may comprise a valuable clinical outcomes research resource, especially for studying infrequent diseases with follow-up beyond the 30-day peri-operative period.

Testicular atrophy following inguinal hernia repair in children.

PURPOSE: We sought to determine the incidence and timing of testicular atrophy following inguinal hernia repair in children. METHODS: We used the TRICARE database, which tracks care delivered to active and retired members of the US Armed Forces and their dependents, including > 3 million children. We abstracted data on male children < 12 years who underwent inguinal hernia repair (2005-2014). We excluded patients with history of testicular atrophy, malignancy or prior related operation. Our primary outcome was the incidence of the diagnosis of testicular atrophy. Among children with atrophy, we calculated median time to diagnosis, stratified by age/undescended testis. RESULTS: 8897 children met inclusion criteria. Median age at hernia repair was 2 years (IQR 1-5). Median follow-up was 3.57 years (IQR 1.69-6.19). Overall incidence of testicular atrophy was 5.1/10,000 person-years, with the highest incidence in those with an undescended testis (13.9/10,000 person-years). All cases occurred in children [Formula: see text] 5 years, with 72% in children < 2 years. Median time to atrophy was 2.4 years (IQR 0.64-3), with 30% occurring within 1 year and 75% within 3 years. CONCLUSION: Testicular atrophy is a rare complication following inguinal hernia repair, with children < 2 years and those with an undescended testis at highest risk. While 30% of cases were diagnosed within a year after repair, atrophy may be diagnosed substantially later. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognosis Study, Level II.

The role of thymectomy in the treatment of juvenile myasthenia gravis: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The role of thymectomy in the treatment of juvenile myasthenia gravis (JMG) is poorly defined. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the effect of thymectomy on survival, disease severity, and peri-operative complications for patients with JMG. METHODS: A search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library (1/1/2000-3/1/2016) identified all English language, human studies of thymectomy for JMG. The population was patients with JMG age ≤18 years who underwent thymectomy (comparator group was unexposed to thymectomy). Outcomes included survival, disease severity, and post-operative complications. Data extraction was performed by independent reviewers. RESULTS: Sixteen retrospective studies included 1131 participants with JMG and 488 (43%) underwent thymectomy. Post-operative improvement in JMG severity occurred for 77% (n = 376/488). Comparisons of thymectomy to non-operative management were mixed. Post-operative complications were poorly recorded. Power to compare surgical approaches was limited. Outcomes specific to antibodies, surgical pathology findings, severity of JMG, and timing of thymectomy were sparse. CONCLUSIONS: Existing data regarding thymectomy for JMG are limited and entirely retrospective. The majority of patients who underwent thymectomy had improvement in disease severity and post-operative complications were rare. Prospective, multicenter study of thymectomy for JMG is warranted.

Poverty, race, ethnicity, and survival in pediatric nonmetastatic osteosarcoma: a Children's Oncology Group report.

BACKGROUND: Children living in poverty and those of marginalized race or ethnicity experience inferior disease outcomes across many cancers. Whether survival disparities exist in osteosarcoma is poorly defined. We investigated the association between race, ethnicity, and proxied poverty exposures and event-free and overall survival for children with nonmetastatic osteosarcoma receiving care on a cooperative group trial. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of US patients with nonmetastatic, osteosarcoma aged 5-21 years enrolled on the Children's Oncology Group trial AOST0331. Race and ethnicity were categorized to reflect historically marginalized populations, as Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Other, and non-Hispanic White. Poverty was proxied at the household and neighborhood levels. Overall survival and event-free survival functions of time from trial enrollment were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Hypotheses of associations between risks for event-free survival, death, and postrelapse death with race and ethnicity were assessed using log-rank tests. RESULTS: Among 758 patients, 25.6% were household-poverty and 28.5% neighborhood-poverty exposed. Of the patients, 21% of children identified as Hispanic, 15.4% non-Hispanic Black, 5.3% non-Hispanic Other, and 54.0% non-Hispanic White. Neither household or neighborhood poverty nor race and ethnicity were statistically significantly associated with risks for event-free survival or death. Postrelapse risk for death differed statistically significantly across race and ethnicity with non-Hispanic Black patients at greatest risk (4-year postrelapse survival 35.7% Hispanic vs 13.0% non-Hispanic Black vs 43.8% non-Hispanic Other vs 38.9% non-Hispanic White; P = .0046). CONCLUSIONS: Neither proxied poverty exposures or race and ethnicity were associated with event-free survival or overall survival, suggesting equitable outcomes following frontline osteosarcoma trial-delivered therapy. Non-Hispanic Black children experienced statistically significant inferior postrelapse survival. Investigation of mechanisms underlying postrelapse disparities are paramount.

Impact of risk-based therapy on late morbidity and mortality in neuroblastoma survivors: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

BACKGROUND: Early efforts at risk-adapted therapy for neuroblastoma are predicted to result in differential late effects; the magnitude of these differences has not been well described. METHODS: Late mortality, subsequent malignant neoplasms (SMNs), and severe/life-threatening chronic health conditions (CHCs), graded according to CTCAE v4.03, were assessed among 5-year Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) survivors of neuroblastoma diagnosed 1987-1999. Using age, stage at diagnosis, and treatment, survivors were classified into risk groups (low [n = 425]; intermediate [n = 252]; high [n = 245]). Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of SMNs were compared with matched population controls. Cox regression models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals for CHC compared with 1029 CCSS siblings. RESULTS: Among survivors (49.8% male; median age = 21 years, range = 7-42; median follow-up = 19.3 years, range = 5-29.9), 80% with low-risk disease were treated with surgery alone, whereas 79.1% with high-risk disease received surgery, radiation, chemotherapy ± autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). All-cause mortality was elevated across risk groups (SMRhigh = 27.7 [21.4-35.8]; SMRintermediate = 3.3 [1.7-6.5]; SMRlow = 2.8 [1.7-4.8]). SMN risk was increased among high- and intermediate-risk survivors (SIRhigh = 28.0 [18.5-42.3]; SIRintermediate = 3.7 [1.2-11.3]) but did not differ from the US population for survivors of low-risk disease. Compared with siblings, survivors had an increased risk of grade 3-5 CHCs, particularly among those with high-risk disease (HRhigh = 16.1 [11.2-23.2]; HRintermediate = 6.3 [3.8-10.5]; HRlow = 1.8 [1.1-3.1]). CONCLUSION: Survivors of high-risk disease treated in the early days of risk stratification carry a markedly elevated burden of late recurrence, SMN, and organ-related multimorbidity, whereas survivors of low/intermediate-risk disease have a modest risk of late adverse outcomes.

Critical elements of pediatrics sacrococcygeal germ cell tumor surgery.

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is the most common extragonadal germ cell tumor in the pediatric population, and accounts for approximately 70% of all teratomas in childhood.1,2 They present in two distinct phases, with most cases seen in neonates with large predominately exophytic tumors, often detected in utero on prenatal sonography or at birth. A smaller cohort presents in older infants and children with primarily hidden tumors in the pelvis which have a much higher rate of malignancy. The primary surgical objective is complete tumor resection without compromise to critical structures or function. Herein we outline the critical elements of tumor resection and management of sacrococcygeal germ cell tumors with a focus on the technical aspects of this tumor across a range of presentations.

Lymphatic Embolization for the Management of Post-operative Chyle Leaks Following Solid Tumor Resection in Pediatric Patients.

BACKGROUND: Chyle leaks are a common post-operative complication following solid-tumor resection in pediatric patients. Current treatments for persistent chyle leaks are limited, leading many patients to experience prolonged hospitalization, nutritional deficits and/or delays in cancer therapies. Lymphatic embolization is an emerging treatment option for chyle leaks, however, limited reports exist of its use in pediatric populations. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of pediatric patients (<18) who underwent lymphangiogram with intent for lymphatic embolization for the management of chyle leaks following solid-tumor resection between 2017 and 2022. RESULTS: Seven patients underwent a total of 11 attempted lymphatic embolization procedures after current standard of care treatments failed to resolve the leak. Lymphangiograms identified a chyle leak in 6 of 7 patients and embolization had a technical success rate of 73%. The complication rate was 9% and complications were limited to one episode of inadvertent gastric wall perforation that did not result in a gastric leak. Lymphatic embolization was ultimately associated with chyle leak resolution in 100% of patients within a median of 24 days, however, repeat embolization was required in 5 of 7 patients (83%). CONCLUSION: Lymphatic embolization appears to be a safe and effective treatment for persistent chyle leaks in pediatric patients, leads to a direction reduction in chyle output, and has high rates of technical and clinical success. Complete resolution of the chyle leak may require multiple embolization procedures. Further work is needed to determine whether earlier intervention may offer benefit for the management of pediatric chyle leaks. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.