Treatment with gemcitabine concomitant with radiation therapy according to the present schedule is well tolerated and can provide prolonged CBR and disease stabilization in patients with localized, unresectable pancreatic cancer.

No abstract

We report on a case of late relapse of hepatocellular carcinoma in a child suffering from combined hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, stage IV. This is a rare event, as it has been accepted that a 5-year period free of any signs of disease in children suffering from malignant hepatic tumors is sufficient to classify such patients as survivors. In our patient, recurrence of the hepatocellular carcinoma component was diagnosed more than five years after the initial diagnosis. This case illustrates the need for more prolonged follow-ups for such children.

Nephrectomy, immuno-chemotherapy and resection of residual disease have been the treatment of choice for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma during the past decades. The aim of this study was to report the long-term results of this treatment approach. Sixty-two patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma participated in a Phase II study. At diagnosis, 32 patients had localized disease, 30 had metastatic disease and 53 underwent nephrectomy. Metastatic sites were lungs, lymph nodes, bones and liver. Immuno-chemotherapy consisted of: interleukin-2, interferon alpha, 5-fluorouracil and vinblastine. All patients were evaluated for toxicity and response to treatment. CR was achieved in 4 patients and PR in 14. Seven patients, with maximum response to immuno-chemotherapy underwent resection of residual tumor and reached CR. Therefore, CR was achieved in 11 patients (18%) with a median survival of +67 months. Flu-like symptoms were the common side effects. Performance status and histology type significantly affected survival. Nephrectomy, immuno-chemotherapy and resection of residual disease are recommended for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Two pediatric oncology patients with Ewing's sarcoma and one with mixed germ cell tumor were treated with drug regimens that included bleomycin or cyclophosphamide. Despite progress to apparently complete remission, all manifested pulmonary nodules on computed tomography during or at the end of treatment. Thoracoscopic biopsy to confirm metastasis revealed instead fibrotic lesions apparently attributable to bleomycin or cyclophosphamide. After cessation of chemotherapy, the pulmonary lesions resolved and all three patients sustained their remissions. The case histories and comments on the diagnosis and management of pulmonary nodules are reviewed.