Two cases of malignant melanoma with metastases in children are reported, (boy—2 years; girl—11 years). From these 2 cases and from 43 previously reported cases in the literature it appears that the disease is at least as aggressive in children as in adults. The 3‐year survival rate in children compares with the 5‐year survival rate in adults at a similar stage in the disease. Special attention is drawn to the relatively high likelihood of malignant melanomas arising in pre‐existing nevus pigmentosus giganticus and the poor prognosis in these cases, probably due to difficult and hence late diagnosis.

A prospective and randomized trial has been performed in order to evaluate combined modality therapy in patients with astrocytomas grade 3 and 4. Follow-up information is available on 244 patients. One half of the series received radiation therapy twice a week (40.00 Gy/5 weeks), the other half five times a week (50.00 Gy/5 weeks). Misonidazole 1.2 g/m2 was given orally to one half of the patients in the first radiation treatment group 3 1/2 to 4 hours before the treatment. The other half received placebo. The second radiation treatment group was also divided in two halves, one receiving 0.48 g/m2 misonidazole and the other placebo 3 1/2 to 4 hours before radiation. The randomization also included a subdivision of the material into eight groups of which four were given CCNU and four no chemotherapy, beginning 3 months after operation. The dose of CCNU was 120 mg/m2 body surface every 6 weeks. All eight treatment groups showed practically identical periods of median survival, and no statistically significant differences were observed with regard to performance status, side effects, or complications. Another dosage and timing of misonidazole administration in relation to the irradiation schedule, and a consideration of effects of concomitant drugs like dexamethasone and phenytoin are discussed.

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