Pediatric Osteosarcoma: An Updated Review.

Osteosarcoma (OS), the most common type of primary malignant bone tumor, is defined by the presence of malignant mesenchymal cells producing osteoid or immature bone. The peak incidence of the most frequent type of OS, i.e., high-grade central OS, occurs in the second decade of life during the adolescent growth spurt. Most patients suffer from the pain and swelling in the involved region and, usually, seek medical attention. Diagnosis is carried out by conventional radiographs, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance image (MRI). In addition, three-phase bone scans, thallium scintigraphy, dynamic MRI, and positron emission spectroscopy are new innovative promising tools. OS can be treated with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. There is a clear need for newer effective agents for patients with OS, especially for patients who afflicted with metastatic and recurrence tumor. Monoclonal antibodies directed against OS may prove useful as treatment, either for drug delivery or for radiopharmaceuticals.

Survival with concurrent temozolomide and radiotherapy in pediatric brainstem glioma with relation to the tumor volume.

BACKGROUND: Brainstem gliomas account for approximately 25% of all posterior fossa tumors. In pediatric age group, it constitutes about 10% of all brain tumors. Brainstem glioma is an aggressive and lethal type of malignancy with poor outcome despite all treatments. AIM: We studied the incidence and treatment outcome in pediatric patients with brainstem glioma depending on their tumor volume presenting in our institution in last 5 years. Brain tumors comprised 2.95% of all cancers and brainstem gliomas were 8% of all brain tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine pediatric patients were included in this analysis, who were treated with localized external radiotherapy 54-59.4 Gy along with temozolomide 75 mg/m(2) during the whole course of radiotherapy. RESULTS: The median survival in all these patients was 20 months and the overall 2 years survival is 44.4% (4/9). The median survival of patients with primary disease volume <40cc is 26 months whereas when the volume is more than 40cc the median survival is 13.5 months as calculated by Chi-square test. CONCLUSION: As this study includes a small number of patients with unknown histology and treated on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging findings, no definite opinion can be given as some patients may have a low-grade tumor. More studies are required to establish the relation of size of the tumor with survival.

Neonatal rhabdomyosarcoma: an unusual presentation.

Though rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in the paediatric age group, its occurrence in new born is rare. Often it presents as a large mass arising from anywhere in the body, most common site being head and neck region. Here we are describing a case of neonatal embyonal RMS with multiple subcutaneous nodules.