Histiocitosis de células de Langerhans. Avances en la patogenia y práctica clínica / Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Advances in pathogenesis and clinical practice

La histiocitosis de células de Langerhans (HCL) es un tipo de neoplasia hematológica de origen mieloide, que puede afectar a diferentes órganos o tejidos, con gran variabilidad en la presentación clínica y comportamiento biológico, por lo que puede simular diferentes enfermedades. Se recomienda realizar diversas pruebas clínicas, analíticas y de imagen, para determinar la extensión de la afectación, que puede ser única o multisistémica, y la presencia o no de disfunción en órganos de riesgo como sistema hematopoyético, hígado y bazo. El diagnóstico se debe confirmar mediante biopsia y estudio histológico. Los estudios moleculares han permitido identificar mutaciones en la vía MAPK, lo que han ampliado las opciones terapéuticas. El diagnóstico es complejo y existe controversia en el manejo de ciertos casos. Las recomendaciones terapéuticas dependen de la localización de las lesiones y de la extensión de la afectación. Los estudios colaborativos internacionales han demostrado la efectividad de terapias prolongadas combinadas como vinblastina y prednisona en formas graves o multisistémicas y destaca el papel beneficioso de fármacos antiinflamatorios como indometacina y de otras combinaciones de citostáticos. La HCL representa un buen ejemplo de la importancia de la medicina de precisión y del beneficio de la identificación de dianas moleculares, comunes a diferentes neoplasias, para desarrollar nuevas terapias dirigidas. Los inhibidores de la vía MAPK representan una alternativa terapéutica en casos refractarios y en las formas neurodegenerativas de la HCL. Los estudios moleculares pueden contribuir en el pronóstico, el tratamiento y el seguimiento, especialmente en las formas graves. (AU)

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a type of myeloid neoplasia that can affect different organs or tissues and exhibits substantial variability in its clinical presentation and biological behaviour, so it may mimic different diseases. Performance of different clinical assessments and laboratory and imaging tests is recommended to determine the extent of involvement, which may be of a single location or multisystemic, and the presence or absence of dysfunction in risk organs, such as the haematopoietic system, liver and spleen. The diagnosis must be confirmed by histological examination of a biopsy sample. Molecular tests have identified mutations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which has expanded treatment options. The diagnosis is complex and there is controversy regarding the management of certain cases. Treatment recommendations depend on the location of the lesions and the extent of involvement. International collaborative studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of prolonged combination therapies such as vinblastine and prednisone in severe or multisystemic forms, and anti-inflammatory drugs such as indomethacin and other cytostatic combinations have proven beneficial. LCH is a good example of the importance of precision medicine and the benefit of identifying molecular targets, common to different neoplasms, to develop new therapies. MAPK pathway inhibitors offer an alternative treatment option in refractory cases and neurodegenerative forms of LCH. Molecular testing can contribute to the prognosis, treatment and follow-up of LCH, especially in severe forms of disease. (AU)

Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Advances in pathogenesis and clinical practice.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a type of myeloid neoplasia that can affect different organs or tissues and exhibits substantial variability in its clinical presentation and biological behaviour, so it may mimic different diseases. Performance of different clinical assessments and laboratory and imaging tests is recommended to determine the extent of involvement, which may be of a single location or multisystemic, and the presence or absence of dysfunction in risk organs, such as the haematopoietic system, liver and spleen. The diagnosis must be confirmed by histological examination of a biopsy sample. Molecular tests have identified mutations in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which has expanded treatment options. The diagnosis is complex and there is controversy regarding the management of certain cases. Treatment recommendations depend on the location of the lesions and the extent of involvement. International collaborative studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of prolonged combination therapies such as vinblastine and prednisone in severe or multisystemic forms, and anti-inflammatory drugs such as indomethacin and other cytostatic combinations have proven beneficial. Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a good example of the importance of precision medicine and the benefit of identifying molecular targets, common to different neoplasms, to develop new therapies. MAPK pathway inhibitors offer an alternative treatment option in refractory cases and neurodegenerative forms of LCH. Molecular testing can contribute to the prognosis, treatment and follow-up of LCH, especially in severe forms of disease.

Complicaciones endocrinas precoces en supervivientes de neoplasias infantiles / Early endocrine complications in childhood cancer survivors

Fundamento y objetivos: El tratamiento de las neoplasias infantiles ha aumentado las tasas de supervivencia, pero también el riesgo de desarrollar complicaciones tardías, muchas de tipo endocrino. El objetivo de este estudio es describir las endocrinopatías que se presentan en los primeros años de seguimiento de las neoplasias infantiles y analizar las variables relacionadas con su aparición. Sujetos y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes remitidos a Endocrinología Pediátrica tras el tratamiento de una neoplasia maligna. Como endocrinopatías se incluyeron las afecciones hormonales por exceso o por defecto y la obesidad de nueva aparición. Las evaluaciones clínicas y analíticas se realizaron semestralmente. Pruebas estadísticas: chi cuadrado y regresión logística múltiple. Resultados: Se incluyen 55 pacientes (26 mujeres) con una edad en el momento del diagnóstico del tumor (media±desviación estándar) de 6,0±4,4 años y un seguimiento de 6,8±3,6 años. Se diagnosticaron 30 endocrinopatías en 26 pacientes (47,3%), de los que 17 eran mujeres (p=0,01). Once adolescentes presentaron hipogonadismo primario (26,2%, a los 0,6±0,5 años de seguimiento), relacionándose su aparición con la radioterapia pélvica (odds ratio ajustada [OR] 3,99, p=0,005). Once pacientes presentaron algún trastorno hipofisario (20,0%, a los 5,2±2,4 años tras el diagnóstico) en relación con radioterapia cerebral (OR 1,54, p=0,039). Seis niños (10,9%) presentaron hipotiroidismo primario a los 3,2±1,0 años de seguimiento. Dos niños desarrollaron obesidad. Conclusiones: Los niños supervivientes de neoplasias malignas presentan diversas endocrinopatías ya en los primeros años tras el tratamiento oncológico, por lo que la evaluación hormonal debe iniciarse precozmente y repetirse de forma periódica (AU)

Background and objectives: The treatment of childhood cancers has increased survival rates, but also the risk of sequelae, such as endocrine complications. The objective of this study is to evaluate the endocrine disorders in survivors of childhood malignant tumors within the first years after treatment and analyze the variables related to their appearance. Subjects and methods: A retrospective medical record review of patients referred to pediatric endocrinology after treatment of malignancy. Outcome measures were frequency and types of endocrine dysfunction and new-onset obesity. Clinical and laboratory evaluations were performed every 6 months. Statistics tests were: chi square and multiple logistic regression. Results: Fifty five patients (26 women) were included with an age at diagnosis of tumour (mean±standard deviation) 6.0±4.4 years and followed up for 6.8±3.6 years. Thirty endocrine disorders were diagnosed in 26 patients (47.3%), 17 women (P=.01). Eleven adolescents had primary hypogonadism (26.2% to 0.6±0.5 years of follow-up) in relation to local irradiation (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.99, P=.005). Eleven patients had a pituitary disorder (20.0%) 5.2±2.4 years after diagnosis in relation to brain irradiation (OR 1.54, P=.039). Six children (10.9%) had primary hypothyroidism from 3.2±1.0 years of follow-up. Two children developed obesity. Conclusions: Endocrine disorders are frequently seen within the first years after diagnosis of a childhood cancer, so hormonal evaluation should start early and be repeated periodically (AU)

[Early endocrine complications in childhood cancer survivors]. / Complicaciones endocrinas precoces en supervivientes de neoplasias infantiles.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The treatment of childhood cancers has increased survival rates, but also the risk of sequelae, such as endocrine complications. The objective of this study is to evaluate the endocrine disorders in survivors of childhood malignant tumors within the first years after treatment and analyze the variables related to their appearance. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A retrospective medical record review of patients referred to pediatric endocrinology after treatment of malignancy. Outcome measures were frequency and types of endocrine dysfunction and new-onset obesity. Clinical and laboratory evaluations were performed every 6 months. Statistics tests were: chi square and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Fifty five patients (26 women) were included with an age at diagnosis of tumour (mean±standard deviation) 6.0±4.4 years and followed up for 6.8±3.6 years. Thirty endocrine disorders were diagnosed in 26 patients (47.3%), 17 women (P=.01). Eleven adolescents had primary hypogonadism (26.2% to 0.6±0.5 years of follow-up) in relation to local irradiation (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.99, P=.005). Eleven patients had a pituitary disorder (20.0%) 5.2±2.4 years after diagnosis in relation to brain irradiation (OR 1.54, P=.039). Six children (10.9%) had primary hypothyroidism from 3.2±1.0 years of follow-up. Two children developed obesity. CONCLUSIONS: Endocrine disorders are frequently seen within the first years after diagnosis of a childhood cancer, so hormonal evaluation should start early and be repeated periodically.

Spiritual support for adolescent cancer patients: a survey of pediatric oncology centers in Italy and Spain.

INTRODUCTION: Spirituality is a fundamental aspect of the psychological well-being of adolescents with cancer. This study reports on a survey conducted at pediatric oncology centers in Italy and Spain to examine the situation concerning the provision of spiritual support. METHODS: An ad hoc questionnaire was distributed including multiple-choice questions on whether or not spiritual support was available; the spiritual counselor's role; how often the spiritual counselor visited the unit; and the type of training this person had received. RESULTS: A spiritual support service was available at 24 of the 26 responding centers in Italy and 34/36 in Spain. The training received by the spiritual counselor was exclusively theological in most cases (with medical or psychological training in a few cases). In both countries the spiritual counselor was mainly involved in providing religious services and support at the terminal stage of the disease or in talking with patients and families. Cooperation with caregivers was reported by 27.3% and 46.7% of the Italian and Spanish centers, respectively, while the daily presence of the chaplain on the ward was reported by 18.2% and 26.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The role of the spiritual counselor in pediatric oncology - in Italy and Spain at least - is still neither well-established nor based on standardized operating methods or training requirements. A model that implies the constant presence of a spiritual counselor in hospital wards may be proposed to provide appropriate spiritual support to adolescents with cancer.