The aim of this study was to establish the prognostic effects of the proximity of the tumor to the main vessels in patients affected by soft tissue sarcomas (STS) of the thigh. A total of 529 adult patients with deeply seated STS of the thigh and popliteal fossa were included. Vascular proximity was defined on MRI: type 1 > 5 mm; type 2 ≤ 5 mm and >0 mm; type 3 close to the tumor; type 4 enclosed by the tumor. Proximity to major vessels type 1–2 had a local recurrence (LR) rate lower than type 3–4 (p < 0.001). In type 4, vascular by-pass reduced LR risk. On multivariate analysis infiltrative histotypes, high FNLCC grade, radiotherapy administration, and type 3–4 of proximity to major vessels were found to be independent prognostic factors for LR. We observed an augmented risk of recurrence, but not of survival as the tumor was near to the major vessels. When major vessels were found to be surrounded by the tumor on preoperative MRI, vascular resection and bypass reconstruction offered a better local control.

In this article the author name Luigi Calligaris was incorrectly written as A. Calligaris. The original article has been corrected.

Background: High-Dose chemotherapy is necessary one of the most important tools for improving response rates and for decreasing relapse rate in childhood B-cell malignancies. However, deaths during induction or in Complete Remission (CR) in children with higher disease burden had adversely influenced pEFS in our setting, and for this reason an accomplished clinical support is mandatory for achieving these better results. Objective: Our aim was to diminish morbidity and mortality of patients with B-cell malignancies with the administration of a reduced intensity BFM-based induction phase, plus the addition of rituximab in a pilot study. We also retrospectively analyzed the outcome of this group of patients. Methods: This is a prospective study, single arm, non-randomized local trial for treatment of B-cell malignancies. Between December-2008 and March-2016, 81 pts consecutive (<16 years/old) (52:M/29:F) were enrolled in a protocol HPG-09, and 70 of them resulted evaluable. Patients were stratified according stage and DHL level in Risk-1, Risk-2, Risk-3 and Risk-4. Risk-4 included patients with stage IV and stage III with DHL levels higher than 1,000 U/dl. The pathology, flow-cytometry and cytogenetic findings disclosed 60 cases of Burkitt Lymphoma, 11 diffuse large B cell Lymphomas, 9 mature-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and 1 Precursor-B ALL with with t(8;14). The treatment locally-none BFM-counterpart included 4 doses of Rituximab administered to Risk-4 cases during early phases of treatment and intensified chemotherapy with HDMTX (24 hr) 5 g/m2, plus reduced intensity induction with pre-phase followed by A1 block (MTX 1 g/m2 4 hr infusion), in order to decrease morbidity and early mortality rates. Results: Distribution of patient according to risk-groups was: Risk-1 (n=2) 2%, Risk-2 (n=9) 11%, Risk-3: (n=13) 16% and Risk-4 (n=46) 57% of cases. Median DHL= 3,642 (range: 396-33,673) UI/dl, CNS+ cases was observed in 6 cases. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 95.1% of the cases and 4.9% of patients died in early phases of treatment. From patient who achieve CR, 6 adverse events were observed (all of them in Risk-4 group): 2 relapses and 4 death in CR (1 Steven´s-Johnson Syndrome, 2 tumor lysis syndrome plus CID and 1 patient died after extensive initial surgery) The pEFS for R1, R2, and R3 was 100%. With a median follow-up of 48 (range:6-61) months, the pEFS (SE) for all risks groups was 91 (4)% and for Risk-4 85 (6)%. Conclusions: Risk-4 group accounted for 66% of the total population of patients, defining a more aggressive disease prevalence in our setting. Locally-adapted strategy based on BFM experience was successfully implemented, reducing induction intensity and with the incorporation of 4 doses of Rituximab. The outcome of this group of patients was very good. Reduction of induction intensity and addition of Rituximab resulted in low mortality rate and excellent survival outcome. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Different electron guns based on cold- or hot-cathode technologies have been developed since 2009 at INFN for operating within ECR plasma chambers as sources of auxiliary electrons, with the aim of boosting the source performances by means of a higher plasma lifetime and density. Their application to microwave discharge ion sources, where plasma is not confined, has required an improvement of the gun design, in order to "screen" the cathode from the plasma particles. Experimental tests carried out on a plasma reactor show a boost of the plasma density, ranging from 10% to 90% when the electron guns are used, as explained by plasma diffusion models.