Splenic hemorrhage in a neonate of a mother on anticonvulsant therapy.

A 24-hour-old male infant was referred to the Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC) because of pallor, lethargy, and abdominal distention. Diagnostic abdominal paracentesis revealed free blood. At surgery hemisplenectomy removed the damaged part of the spleen followed by complete recovery of the infant. A liver-spleen scan, performed before discharge, revealed normal uptake in the remaining portion of the spleen.

High-dose methotrexate in osteogenic sarcoma.

From 1972 to 1979, high-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) and 3 adjuvant regimens were used at the Sidney Farber Cancer Institute and Children's Hospital Medical Center. In the first regiment, HDMTX was used alone; the second, HDMTX and adriamycin, and the third, weekly courses of HDMTX and combination. Actuarial disease-free survival achieved with these regimens in patient with local control of the primary lesion varied from 42 to 75% at 3 years. This compared favorably with historical control patients, of whom 50% were free of disease at 6 months and only 20% at 12 months. Among 41 patients with established pulmonary metastases, 14 were alive and free of disease from more than 4 to over 60 months. The most efficacious method of administering HDMTX was a weekly schedule which produced an overall response rate of 48% in the treatment of pulmonary metastases and primary tumor in patients previously not exposed to HDMTX. Urinary alkalinization was not a standard procedure, and investigations failed to demonstrate any significant effect of alkalinization on HDMTX pharmacokinetics.

Role of staging in childhood non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Childhood non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is characterized by a high incidence of leukemic transformation. A retrospective analysis of this incidence in 227 children is provided. In an attempt to identify factors associated with this phenomenon, the extent of disease in 30 recently diagnosed patients was determined by means of a modified Ann Arbor staging system. Concurrently, the staging system was utilized for the delivery of a new treatment program: chemotherapy was administered to all patients, and those with stage I and II disease also received radiation therapy to sites of bulk tumor. An overall disease-free survival of 75% was achieved. No patient with stage I disease converted to acute leukemia. The data suggest that the major utility of staging is the delineation of anatomic sites of bulk tumor. The chemotherapeutic program utilized in these patients is outlined.

High-dose methotrexate with citrovorum factor in osteogenic sarcoma--progress report II.

Vincristine (VCR), high-dose methotrexate (MTX), and citrovorum factor (CF) were administered to 12 patients with classic osteogenic sarcoma with local control. Seven patients (58%) are free of pulmonary metastases for 2+-31/2+ years. With a second adjuvant program incorporating adriamycin (VCR, MTX, CF, and adriamycin), 16 of 20 patients are free of pulmonary metastases for 6+-18+ months. Five patients who developed pulmonary metastases were rendered free of disease by surgical resection. The VCR, MTX, and CF program was also administered at weekly intervals to eight patients with pulmonary metastases or unresected primary lesions. Two complete and one partial response were obtained in four patients with pulmonary metastases and three complete and one partial response were obtained in patients with primary lesions. This program was also administered in combination with radiation therapy to four patients who relapsed on conventional VCR, MTX, CF, and adriamycin therapy following surgical resection of pulmonary metastases. They remain free of recurrent disease for 2+-14+ months. There was no alteration in the incidence of toxicity when compared to earlier investigations. The results indicate that the VCR, MTX, and CF program has had a major impact on the management of osteogenic sarcoma.

Prognosis for children with neuroblastoma presenting with paralysis.

Since 1947, we have treated 19 children with neuroblastoma whose first symptoms were paralysis or weakness of an extremity, and/or incontinence due to tumor in the spinal canal. In 18 patients, the spine tumor was part of a dumbbell tumor which was present in the adjacent paravertebral area and in one, no extraspinal tumor was found. Aggressive treatment was employed for all. In 17 children, the intraspinal tumor was treated by laminectomy and irradiation with and without chemotherapy. Radiation and chemotherapy were used for two. The extraspinal tumor was excised totally in six and partially in six. All 12 children received postoperative radiation and chemotherapy. In 6 children, the extraspinal tumor was treated only with radiation and chemotherapy. Nine of 19 children are alive without evidence of neuroblastoma. Thirteen patients showed either partial (6) or full (7) neurologic recovery. Survival was related to the child's age at diagnosis and the extent of disease. While 8 of 9 children under 1 yr of age survived, only 1 of 10 children over 1 yr survived. None of the 5 children with Stage IV disease at diagnosis could be saved. The degree and frequency of neurologic recovery were greatest in children whose neurologic symptoms had been present the shortest times and were equal among those who survived and those who died. The outlook for children who became paralyzed by neuroblastoma is not hopeless; therapy aimed at saving life or neurologic function is both worthwhile and rewarding.

Parenteral nutritional support in children with cancer.

Acute and chronic starvation is often associated with childhood cancer. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with 20% glucose and 3.0% amino acids, and minerals and vitamins was instituted to treat or prevent malnutrition in 41 children with cancer, ages three months to 18 years. TPN was required for anorexia, vomiting and diarrhea associated with anti-cancer therapy in 33 patients for intestinal complications or surgery in nine, and for preoperative correction of malnutrition in two. During TPN, general nutrition and appearance improved in all patients. Weight gain was noted in most. Despite gastrointestinal complications which usually require the interruption of chemotherapy and irradiation, in 21 children treatment could be continued at full dose with nutritional support by TPN. TPN was discontinued in six patients when blood cultures became positive. Sepsis was treated successfully by removal of the central venous catheter in all six and administration of antibiotics in three. No metabolic complications were noted. TPN appears to be a safe and effective means of combating the malnutrition which may occur with cancer and its therapy.

Multidisciplinary treatment for childhood sarcoma.

Surgical extirpation of the primary tumor has traditionally been utilized as initial treatment for sarcomas in children. The present report, however, demonstrates that sarcomas are optimally treated by means of a coordianted multidisciplinary approach. The latter offers the potential for achieving improved survival and preservation of organs and limbs, particularly for structures of the head and neck, for extremities, and in the genitourinary system.

The role of radiation therapy in localized resectable intestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in children.

Forty children with localized resectable intestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were seen between 1948 and 1974. Survival was related to the extent of disease at presentation and to therapy. No deaths occurred after 15 months and no recurrences occurred after 13 months after diagnosis. Six of eight stage IE patients (75%) and nine of 29 stage IIE patients (31%) have survived a minimum of 2 years; one of the three stage IVE patients has survived 17 years. Unfavorable prognostic findings at surgery were serosal involvement, presence of tumor at the surgical margins, mesenteric nodal involvement, and the presence of abdominal fluid or blood. Paraortic nodal involvement or multiple primary foci were universally fatal. Eight of 11 patients (73%) treated with surgery and whole abdominal irradiation (greater than or equal 2000 rad) with or without chemotherapy have survived. Seven of 18 patients (39%) treated with surgery and low dose chemotherapy have survived. One of seven patients treated with surgery and localized or low dose radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy has survived. Four patients treated with surgery alone died. Bone marrow and central nervous system involvement occurred after previous disease relapse elsewhere.

Chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, vincristine, cytosine arabinoside, and prednisone (COAP) in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Three groups of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) were treated with intermittent cyclophosphamide, vincristine, cytosine arabinoside, and prednisone (COAP). Group A (no prior relapse) and Group B (prior single-agent relapse) received COAP after 12 months on another chemotherapy regimen. Children in Group C (prior relapse on multiagent regimens) received COAP following A-COAP (asparaginase plus COAP) reinduction. Median disease-free survival after beginning COAP was not reached for Group A, but was only 7 months for Groups B and C. As of November 1976, there were 8 of 15 Group A patients, 1 of 12 Group B patients, and 1 of 28 Group C patients who had remained disease-free from 38 to 60 (median 54.5) months and were off chemotherapy. COAP has activity in childhood ALL. However, effectiveness is markedly diminished in patients with prior bone marrow relapse.

Weekly high-dose methotrexate-citrovorum factor in osteogenic sarcoma: pre-surgical treatment of primary tumor and of overt pulmonary metastases.

Vincristine-high-dose methotrexate-citrovorum factor (VCR-MTX-CF) was administered preoperatively at weekly intervals to eight patients, four with primary tumors and four with pulmonary metastases. These patients had not received prior VCR-MTX-CF treatment. A similar treatment program was administered to five patients with pulmonary metastases who had received prior VCR-MTX-CF. Among the eight patients who had not received prior VCR-MTX-CF, complete responses were obtained in three with primary tumors (this was followed by surgical excision) and two with pulmonary metastases. Partial responses occurred in two additional patients. Partial responses were also obtained in two patients who had received VCR-MTX-CF. Chemotherapy and surgery in one patient with an extremity lesion resulted in preservation of the limb and useful function. The major toxicity was anorexia and weight loss. Other side effects included stomatitis, myelosuppression, hepatitis and transient renal impairment. The weekly program was highly effective when compared to responses obtained with the tri-weekly schedule utilized in previous studies.

Improved outlook for Ewing's sarcoma with combination chemotherapy (vincristine, actinomycin D and cyclophosphamide) and radiation therapy.

Vincristine, actinomycin D, and cyclophosphamide (VAC) were administered to 14 patients with Ewing's sarcoma. The primary tumors were treated with radiation therapy and concurrent chemotherapy. Nine patients had no visible metastases at diagnosis: two died following the development of pulmonary metastases and the rest have been free of disease for periods varying from 4 months to 4 1/2 years following completion of treatment. This contrasts with a 27% survival in patients previously treated at this center with single agent chemotherapy. Five other patients had demonstrable metastases at diagnosis: VAC chemotherapy achieved complete regression of pulmonary metastases in three for 9, 9+ and 24+ months, respectively. Following disappearance of tumor in the latter two, pulmonary irradiation was administered in an attempt to consolidate the response, but tumor recurred 6 months later. These patients eventually died of widespread disease although survival appeared prolonged in comparison to that seen in past experience. Chemotherapy was well tolerated, although three patients developed hemorrhagic cystitis, necessitating discontinuation of cyclophosphamide. The data suggest the potential for prolonged control and an increase in the cure rate with this therapeutic approach.

Multidisciplinary treatment for macrometastatic osteogenic sarcoma.

Using a co-ordinated multidisciplinary approach with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, 14 out of 21 patients with metastases from osteogenic sarcoma were rendered free of disease for over two to over 18 months. Most patients had pulmonary metastases, two had bony metastases, and one had metastases in the iliac nodes. As part of this multidisciplinary approach weekly high-dose methotrexate was given and caused tumour regression in seven out of 15 patients. After all clinical evidence of disease had been removed high-dose methotrexate was administered every two to three weeks as maintenance treatment. To assess the efficacy of treatment the results were compared with those in a historical control group of 82 consecutive patients who developed pulmonary or other metastases. The results in the study group were significantly better. This experience may be similar to that in Wilms's tumour, where actinomycin D has increased the cure rate when administered as adjuvant therapy after treatment of localised or overt metastatic disease.

The role of irradiation in central nervous system treatment and prophylaxis for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The results of central nervous system (CNS) treatment with craniocervical irradiation and intrathecal methotrexate in 117 children with ALL achieved at the Joint Center for Radiation Therapy. The Children's Hospital Medical Center, and The Sidney Farber Cancer Center are presented. A classification related to meningeal disease which correlated with prognosis is presented and the patients are analyzed within these groups. Of 80 patients classified in the most favorable groups (I and II), no child has suffered primary CNS relapse. Of the remaining 37 patients in less favorable groups (III, IV, and V), eight patients have experienced CNS relapse, five following or in conjunction with bone marrow relapse. The technical features of irradiation are reviewed and related to success of the treatment.

Development of an effective treatment program for childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia: a preliminary report.

The development of an effective therapeutic regimen for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) of childhood is described. By careful surveillance of toxicity and efficacy, positive modifications of treatment strategy were achieved without resorting to classically randomized trails. Teh resultant protocol utilizes vincristine-prednisone induction followed by asparaginase consolidation, intensive intermittent combination maintenance chemotherapy with adriamycin as a major component, and cranial radiotherapy plus intrathecal methotrexate for central nervous system prophylaxis. Preliminary analysis suggests that this regimen may result in prolonged continuous complete remission in at least 80% of children with ALL.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the head and neck in childhood.

A retrospective analysis of pediatric patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma localized to the head and neck revealed a survival rate of 51.7%. This contrasts with a survival rate of 9% computed from the literature for children with local and regional non-Hodgkin lymphoma in various parts of the body. Major factors influencing survival appeared to be: (1) stage of lymphoma (12 of 17 Stage I survived); (2) histology (7 of 7 patients whose lesions were classified as nodular survived as compared to 5 of 17 with lesions classified as diffuse); and (3) anatomic location. Leukemia developed in seven patients with lesions of the diffuse histologic type. Recent experience suggests that aggressive, integrated treatment with surgery, radiation therapy, ano chemotherapy may favorably alter the course of the disease in patients with unfavorable histologic lesions.