WT-1 is useful in distinguishing OSC (characteristically diffuse strong nuclear positivity) from USC (characteristically negative). However, rarely OSC is negative and occasional cases of USC are positive. WT-1 may also be helpful in differentiating poorly differentiated OSC from poorly differentiated ovarian endometrioid carcinoma.

Our population-based study indicates that age at diagnosis, tumor stage, and use of radiotherapy favorably impact survival rates of patients with MRTs.

Pineal gland tumors are rare and account for less than 1% of all primary brain tumor diagnoses. Also, they are more commonly seen in pediatric patients than in adults. We analyzed the available SEER data on pineal gland tumors that were diagnosed during the period 1973–2005. The cohort was subdivided into groups on the basis of tumor histology: germ cell tumors, pineal parenchymal tumors, gliomas, and other pineal tumors. Analyses of incidence, survival, factors influencing survival, and treatment modality are provided. Among the 633 patients with pineal tumors, male sex was predominant, i.e., sex ratio was 3:1 for the whole group and 11.8:1 for those with germ cell tumors. The 5-year overall survival (OS) for the cohort was 65% ± 2.1%. Those with germ cell tumors experienced the best survival (OS = 78.9% ± 2.3%), followed by those with gliomas (OS = 61% ± 9.3%), and those with pineal parenchymal tumors (OS = 47.2% ± 4.2%). Non–germ cell tumors, no radiotherapy, and diagnosis before 1993 were the only factors associated with a negative impact on survival. The extent of surgical tumor resection did not affect survival in any histologic subgroup. We conclude that although pineal tumors are histologically diverse, they share some similarities due to their unique location. An aggressive surgical approach should be considered with caution in this region. Further studies on different pineal tumors subtypes are needed.

Successful twinning initiatives have been reported in childhood leukemia. Pediatric neuro-oncology requires a complex multidisciplinary approach and the feasibility of similar twinning programs is unknown. Twinning between King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto started with e-mail communications, and subsequently included monthly videoconferences and exchanges between institutions. The outcome of 35 newly diagnosed medulloblastoma patients (22 highrisk and 13 average-risk) treated during this period is reported. The 3-year overall survival for average risk and high-risk patients was 100 and 81%, respectively. This experience suggests that twinning may facilitate the implementation of multidisciplinary neurooncology programs in low-income countries. Videoconferencing allows interactive exchanges with a significant learning impact. ' 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.