Carcinoid tumors in children and adolescents: risk for second malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Carcinoid tumors (CTs) are rare in the pediatric population and are generally noted as an incidental finding on histopathologic examination. Cure is usually achieved with wide surgical excision. Second primary malignancies (SPM) of the gastrointestinal tract after CTs have been reported in 13% to 33% of affected adults. The risk of SPM appears highest after small bowel or appendiceal CTs and usually presents within 7 years from diagnosis. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the natural history of CTs in pediatric patients treated at a major children's hospital and to determine whether children and adolescents with primary CTs developed SPM during routine long-term follow-up. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of children and adolescents with CTs diagnosed at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio between 1945 and 2012. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients with CT were identified, representing 0.48% of all malignancies diagnosed at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Mean age at presentation was 13 years (range, 8 to 20 y). The majority were appendiceal (87.5%) followed by bronchial (9.4%). Most of the appendiceal tumors presented with clinical appendicitis (25/28). Three had incidental appendectomies at the time of a planned abdominal surgery for other reasons. Four patients with appendiceal CTs had invasive features. All patients with appendiceal and bronchial CTs were successfully treated by complete surgical excision and were free of disease at an average of 7 years from diagnosis. None of our patients developed SPM during the period of observation (median 84 mo; range, 12 to 156 mo). CONCLUSIONS: In this single-institution retrospective review, survival of children with CT was excellent. No SPMs were observed over the period of follow-up differing from previously reported adult CT series.

Desmopressin responsiveness in children with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome associated bleeding symptoms.

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is caused by heritable collagen defects and may be associated with bleeding symptoms. Desmopressin has been described in case reports to decrease bleeding times in these patients. This study sought to assess bleeding time responsiveness to desmopressin therapy in a cohort of children with EDS-associated bleeding manifestations. A retrospective chart review of children with EDS referred for bleeding symptoms was utilized. Twenty-six children were included; 19 (73%) had a desmopressin challenge. The mean bleeding time was 11.26 (+/-4.39) min, decreasing to 5.95 (+/-2.41) min with treatment (P < 0.01). Desmopressin normalizes bleeding times in children with EDS.

Prolonged survival with continuous infusion topotecan: a report of 2 cases.

Two patients with solid tumors were treated with 21-day continuous infusion topotecan as palliation therapy. Case 1: A 10-year-old girl was diagnosed with progressive, metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma. Twenty-one-day continuous infusion topotecan was started and she has had a partial response. Case 2: A 17-year-old girl developed a malignant fibrous histiocytoma as a second malignant neoplasm. After partial resection and failure of multiagent chemotherapy, she started continuous infusion topotecan and was disease-free for 58 months when she died of pneumonia. These cases suggest that topotecan given as 21-day continuous infusion is efficacious for palliation care.

Fibrinogen Columbus: a novel gamma Gly200Val mutation causing hypofibrinogenemia in a family with associated thrombophilia.

Fibrinogen is an essential component of the coagulation cascade and the acute phase response. The native 340 kDa molecule has a symmetrical trinodular structure composed of a central E-domain connected to outer D-domains by triple helical coiled-coils.1 Several mutations known to cause hypofibrinogenemia occur within the C-terminal gammaD-domain and have helped to elucidate the structurally and functionally important areas of this domain.2-5 Here we report the identification of a novel point mutation gammaG200V (fibrinogen Columbus) causing hypofibrinogenemia and co-segregating with three genetic thrombophilia risk factors.

Evidence of population mixing based on the geographical distribution of childhood leukemia in Ohio.

BACKGROUND: This ecologic study examined the geographic distribution of childhood leukemias in Ohio, 1996-2000, among children aged 0-19 for evidence that population mixing may be a factor. PROCEDURE: (1) State incidence rates were compared to Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) rates for each year and for the 5-year period, 1996-2000; (2) incidence rates for each of Ohio's 88 counties were compared to statewide rates; and (3) county incidence rates were compared based on population density, population growth, and rural/urban locale. SEER*Stat version 5.0 was used to derive age-specific and 0-19 age-adjusted rates. Expected values, standardized incidence ratios (SIRs), and Poisson P-values were calculated with Excel using the indirect method of standardization. RESULTS: Of the 585 cases, 73.3% were acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), 16.6% acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), 3.2% acute monocytic leukemia (AMoL), and 2.6% chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Rates for total leukemia burden were significantly below national levels for all races (P = 0.00001), likely due to poor ascertainment of cases. Yearly incidence rates for 1996-2000 were stable for ALL and AML; CML rates declined over the period. Based on 2000 Census and intercensal population estimates for 1996-2000, statistically higher rates for ALL were noted for counties experiencing >10% population change 1990-2000 (P < 0.05), especially for ages 1-4 (P < 0.03) in counties with 10-20% growth. Counties 67.9-99.2% urban experienced fewer than expected cases of AML + AMoL (P < 0.06). CONCLUSION: Data support Kinlen's theory of population mixing and warrant further studies in Ohio, the US and other countries.

Patterns of care among adolescents with malignancy in Ohio.

Adolescents with malignancy represent a unique population in oncology that traditionally has received care at a variety of institutions. Recent data have shown that clinical trial involvement and patient outcomes in this age group may be influenced by the type of hospital at which they are treated. This article examines factors influencing the location of treatment of patients aged 15 to 19 years from selected areas in Ohio. Patients 15 to 19 years of age with malignancy from the selected 45 counties between 1996 and 1999 were identified from the Ohio Cancer Incidence and Surveillance System database. Factors analyzed included specific diagnosis, age, race, and treating institution. A total of 169 patients were identified, with 46.7% treated at pediatric institutions, 24.8% at adult academic centers, and 28.5% at community hospitals. Diagnosis influenced treatment location: leukemias, central nervous system tumors, and sarcomas were treated more often at pediatric hospitals, whereas melanoma was more often treated at adult academic centers. Patient age and distance from an academic center were also found to affect the location of treatment. Specific diagnosis, age, and geographic location influence the site of treatment of adolescent patients. Efforts to improve survival and increase enrollment in clinical trials must take these factors into account.

Cyclophosphamide dose intensification during induction therapy for intermediate-risk pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma is feasible but does not improve outcome: a report from the soft tissue sarcoma committee of the children's oncology group.

PURPOSE: More than half of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma cases have intermediate-risk features and suboptimal outcome (3-year failure-free survival estimates, 55 to 76%). Dose intensification of known active agents may improve outcome. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of dose intensification of cyclophosphamide in previously untreated patients ages < 21 years with intermediate-risk rhabdomyosarcoma. Induction therapy comprised four 3-week cycles of VAC: vincristine (V) 1.5 mg/m2 on days 0, 7, and 14; actinomycin D (A) 1.35 mg/m2 on day 0; and dose-intensified cyclophosphamide (C) on days 0, 1, and 2. The three cyclophosphamide dose levels tested were as follows: (a) 1.2 g/m2/dose; (b) 1.5 g/m2/dose; and (c) 1.8 g/m2/dose. Continuation therapy comprised nine additional cycles of VAC with 2.2 g/m2/cycle of C. Radiotherapy was administered at week 0 (parameningeal tumors with intracranial extension) or week 12 or 15 (all others). RESULTS: Between October 1996 and August 1999, 115 eligible patients were enrolled. Three of 15 patients treated at dose level 2 experienced life-threatening dose-limiting toxicity (typhlitis +/- other severe toxicity). Dose level 1 was the maximum-tolerated dose, and 91 evaluable patients were treated at this level. The 3-year failure-free and overall survival estimates for patients treated at the maximum-tolerated dose were 52% (95% confidence interval, 41-64%) and 67% (95% confidence interval, 56-77%), respectively, at a median follow-up of 3 years. CONCLUSIONS: A 64% increase in the standard cyclophosphamide dosage during induction (to 3.6 g/m2/cycle) was tolerated. However, outcomes were similar to those observed at lower dosages, suggesting that alkylator dose intensification does not benefit patients with intermediate-risk rhabdomyosarcoma.

O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase activity and promoter methylation status in pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the activity of the DNA repair protein O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) and MGMT promoter methylation status of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) and examine MGMT in RMS tumors from different prognostic groups. METHODS: Fifteen samples each of the alveolar (ARMS) and embryonal (ERMS) subtypes were obtained for analysis of MGMT activity and promoter methylation status. MGMT activity was assayed by measuring the removal of O6-[3H] methylguanine from [3H]-methylated substrate by a tumor extract containing the enzyme. Promoter methylation status was examined using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: MGMT activity was successfully assayed from 25 samples, 10 ERMS and 15 ARMS. All ERMS and 11 of the 15 ARMS samples displayed high activity levels. There was significant intertumor variability among both subtypes but no significant difference in mean activity between the two histologic groups. There were trends toward increased activity in ERMS tumors and tumors from anatomically unfavorable locations. Only one tumor was hypermethylated at the MGMT promoter region. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis suggests that a low percentage of RMS samples are hypermethylated at the MGMT promoter and that most have significant MGMT activity, implying that clinical trials with MGMT-modulating agents may have a role in the treatment of these tumors. This analysis does not support MGMT activity as an explanation of the differential response to chemotherapy demonstrated by ARMS and ERMS, but does suggest that MGMT may be involved in RMS treatment failure regardless of subtype and in the poorer response shown by tumors from unfavorable locations.

High risk of subsequent neoplasms continues with extended follow-up of childhood Hodgkin's disease: report from the Late Effects Study Group.

PURPOSE: We present an update of a previously reported Late Effects Study Group cohort of 1,380 children with Hodgkin's disease (HD) diagnosed between 1955 and 1986 in patients aged 16 years or younger. We describe the pattern and incidence of subsequent neoplasms (SNs) occurring with extended follow-up. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Median age at diagnosis of HD was 11.7 years (range, 0.3 to 16.9 years) and at last follow-up was 27.8 years. Median length of follow-up was 17.0 years. RESULTS: An additional 103 SNs were ascertained (total SNs = 212). The cohort was at an 18.5-fold increased risk of developing SNs compared with the general population (standardized incidence ratio [SIR], 18.5, 95% CI, 15.6 to 21.7). The cumulative incidence of any second malignancy was 10.6% at 20 years, increasing to 26.3% at 30 years; and of solid malignancies was 7.3% at 20 years, increasing to 23.5% at 30 years. Breast cancer was the most common solid malignancy (SIR, 56.7). Other commonly occurring solid malignancies included thyroid cancer (SIR, 36.4), bone tumors (SIR, 37.1), and colorectal (SIR, 36.4), lung (SIR, 27.3), and gastric cancers (SIR, 63.9). Risk factors for solid tumors included young age at HD and radiation-based therapy. Thirty-two patients developed third neoplasms, with the cumulative incidence approaching 21% at 10 years from diagnosis of second malignancy. CONCLUSION: Additional follow-up of this large cohort of HD survivors documents an increasing occurrence of known radiation-associated solid tumors, (breast and thyroid cancers), as well as emergence of epithelial neoplasms common in adults, (colon and lung cancers) at a younger age than expected in the general population, necessitating ongoing surveillance of this high risk population.

The development of VAC chemotherapy in rhabdomyosarcoma: what does one do for an encore?

The establishment of the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS) Committee in 1972 by three extant American pediatric cooperative groups initiated five generations of studies in the multidisciplinary treatment of soft-tissue sarcomas. Taking the lead from the use of vincristine, actinomycin-D, and cyclophosphamide (VAC) by Dr. Ruth Heyn, Dr. Harold Mauer and colleagues developed a more robust VAC as well as three similar drug regimens with hematopoietic growth factor support, which, in the context of surgery with or without radiotherapy, achieved a 3-year failure-free survival rate of 83% (IRS-IV) in nonmetastatic embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. This review documents the development of VAC and some of the new directions currently being pursued by the Children's Oncology Group Soft Tissue Committee.

Long-term morbidity in children treated with fractionated high-dose-rate brachytherapy for soft tissue sarcomas.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term local control, disease-free survival, and morbidity of fractionated high-dose-rate brachytherapy (F-HDR) in infants and children with soft tissue sarcomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen children (13 girls and 2 boys, ages 5-101 months) with soft tissue sarcomas were treated with chemotherapy, organ-preserving surgery, and F-HDR (36 Gy in 12 fractions) to post-chemotherapy volumes. External beam radiotherapy was not part of the primary treatment, although four patients (27%) subsequently received salvage external beam radiotherapy after treatment failure. Chemotherapy was administered to all patients based on their tumor histology and stage. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 10 years (range 32-154 months), 12 patients (80%) were alive without evidence of disease. Ten-year overall survival and local control rates were both 80% (12/15 children). The overall survival was better (91%) for children with microscopic residual versus gross residual disease (75%). With longer follow-up, grade 3 to 4 brachytherapy-related late morbidities increased from 8% (1/12) to 20% (3/15) and included trismus/osteonecrosis, vaginal stenosis, and periurethral fibrosis. There were two late complications associated with puberty that occurred 8 to 10 years after the initial treatments. Acute toxicity occurred in five patients (38%) and consisted primarily of grade 1 to 3 skin and mucosal reactions. CONCLUSIONS: As the sole radiation modality, F-HDR achieved excellent local control and disease-free survival in properly selected children with soft tissue sarcomas while preserving normal bone and organ development. A significant percentage of patients experience adverse late sequelae as a result of this treatment.

Intraoperative electron beam treatment for pediatric malignancies: The Ohio State University experience.

PURPOSE: To report the result of intraoperative electron beam radiation therapy (IOERT) in patients with extensive pediatric tumors. METHOD: From October 1989 through June 2000, 13 children were treated with chemotherapy, maximal surgery, and 10-15 Gy IOERT at a total of 18 sites. IOERT was used for palliative purposes in 5 children with metastatic disease and in 3 others who were previously treated with external beam radiation (EBRT). The remaining five patients received definitive IOERT. Postoperative EBRT of 35.4-45 Gy was given in 5 patients. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 42 months (range = 18-63 months), 4 patients were alive and without evidence of disease. Overall and 3 year actuarial survival rates were 31% (4/13) and 26%, respectively. Local control was achieved at 13/18 sites (72%). Poor prognostic factors included metastatic disease, recurrent disease, and the absence of adjuvant EBRT. Two children with Wilms tumors had 100% local control, disease-free survival, and overall survival without the addition of EBRT. CONCLUSION: A boost dose of IOERT allows for reduction in the dose of EBRT, thereby limiting growth-related morbidity without compromising local control or disease-free survival. Except for Wilms tumors, which achieved 100% local control and disease-free survival, adjuvant EBRT is necessary for successful local control and survival in children with soft tissue sarcomas. Based on this study and others, intraoperative irradiation should be considered for inclusion in prospective, multi-institutional trials designed to treat localized malignancies in young children.

Pregnancy outcome of partners of male survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to determine the effect, if any, on pregnancy loss, live births, and birthweight of treatment for cancer diagnosed during childhood or adolescence. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed pregnancy outcome among sexually active male Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) participants who responded to a questionnaire before February 3, 2000. Medical records of all members of the cohort were abstracted to obtain chemotherapeutic agents administered, the cumulative dose of drug administered for several drugs of interest, and the doses, volumes, and dates of administration of all radiotherapy. RESULTS: There were 4,106 sexually active males; 1,227 reported they sired 2,323 pregnancies (69% live births, 1% stillbirths, 13% miscarriages, 13% abortions, 5% unknown or in gestation). The male-to-female ratio of the offspring of the partners of the male survivors was significantly different from that of the offspring of the partners of the male siblings of the survivors (1.0:1.03 v 1.24:1.0) (P =.016). The proportion of pregnancies of the partners of male survivors that ended with a liveborn infant was significantly lower than for the partners of the male siblings of the survivors who were the control group for comparison (relative risk = 0.77, P =.007). There were no significant differences in pregnancy outcome by treatment. CONCLUSION: This large study did not identify adverse pregnancy outcomes for the partners of male survivors treated with most chemotherapeutic agents. The reversal of the sex ratio and the association observed for procarbazine warrant further investigation.

Children from ethnic minorities have benefited equally as other children from contemporary therapy for rhabdomyosarcoma: a report from the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Group.

PURPOSE: To define the clinical characteristics of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) occurring in children from ethnic minorities and determine whether these children have benefited equally from advances in therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort analysis of children treated on the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Group protocols between 1984 and 1997. The clinical features and outcomes of 336 African-American children and 286 children from other ethnic minorities were compared with those of white children (n = 1,721). RESULTS: African-American, other ethnic group, and white children enjoyed similar 5-year failure-free survivals (FFS) of 61%, 61%, and 66%, respectively, P =.15. Compared with white children, nonwhite patients more often had (1) invasive, T2 tumors (P =.03); (2) stage 2 or 3 tumors (P =.003); (3) large tumors (more than 5 cm, P <.006); and/or (4) tumors with positive regional nodes (ie, N1, P =.002). Using Cox proportional hazards analysis, seven patient risk categories were defined with significant differences in outcome. This model was then used to search for other factors associated with FFS after adjusting for these risk categories. Only T stage and age remained associated with FFS (P =.001 and P <.001, respectively). After adjusting for T stage, risk category, and age, we explored the relationship of ethnic group to FFS and found that, compared with whites, the relative risk of failure was 1.14 for African-American patients and 1.2 for other ethnic minority patients, values that are not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Patients from ethnic minority groups more often have larger, invasive tumors with positive lymph nodes. Nevertheless, they have benefited as equally as white children from the dramatic progress in therapy of RMS.

Pregnancy outcome of female survivors of childhood cancer: a report from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine the effect, if any, of prior treatment with radiation therapy or chemotherapy for cancer diagnosed during childhood or adolescence on pregnancy loss, live births, and birth weight. STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed pregnancy outcome among female participants in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) who returned a questionnaire. Eligibility for the CCSS included 5-year survivors who were <21 years old at diagnosis and who were diagnosed with an eligible cancer between January 1, 1970, and December 31, 1986, at the 25 participating CCSS institutions. The questionnaire included items regarding attempts to become pregnant, the occurrence of pregnancy, and the outcome of pregnancy (ie, live birth, stillbirth, miscarriage, abortion). Medical records of all members of the cohort were abstracted to obtain chemotherapeutic agents administered, the cumulative dose of drug administered for several drugs of interest, and the doses, anatomic regions, and dates of administration of all radiation therapy. RESULTS: One thousand nine hundred fifteen females reported 4029 pregnancies (63% live births, 1% stillbirths, 15% miscarriages, 17% abortions, 3% unknown or in gestation). There were no significant differences in pregnancy outcome by treatment. A higher, but not statistically significant, risk of miscarriage was present among women whose ovaries were in the radiation therapy field (relative risk [RR] 1.86, P =.14), were near the radiation therapy field (RR 1.64, P =.06), or were shielded (RR 0.90, P =.88). The rate of live birth was not lower for the patients treated with any particular chemotherapeutic agent. The offspring of the patients who received pelvic irradiation were more likely to weigh <2500 g at birth (RR 1.84, P =.03). CONCLUSIONS: This large study did not identify adverse pregnancy outcomes for female survivors treated with most chemotherapeutic agents. The offspring of women who received pelvic irradiation are at risk for low birth weight.