Treatment with dose-adjusted EPOCH (etoposide, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, prednisone) chemotherapy and rituximab (DA-EPOCH-R) has become the standard of care for primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) at many institutions despite limited data in the multi-centre setting. We report a large, multi-centre retrospective analysis of children and adults with PMBCL treated with DA-EPOCH-R to characterize outcomes and evaluate prognostic factors. We assessed 156 patients with PMBCL treated with DA-EPOCH-R across 24 academic centres, including 38 children and 118 adults. All patients received at least one cycle of DA-EPOCH-R. Radiation therapy was administered in 14·9% of patients. With median follow-up of 22·6 months, the estimated 3-year event-free survival (EFS) was 85·9% [95% confidence interval (CI) 80·3-91·5] and overall survival was 95·4% (95% CI 91·8-99·0). Outcomes were not statistically different between paediatric and adult patients. Thrombotic complications were reported in 28·2% of patients and were more common in paediatric patients (45·9% vs. 22·9%, P = 0·011). Seventy-five per cent of patients had a negative fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan at the completion of DA-EPOCH-R, defined as Deauville score 1-3. Negative FDG-PET at end-of-therapy was associated with improved EFS (95·4% vs. 54·9%, P < 0·001). Our data support the use of DA-EPOCH-R for the treatment of PMBCL in children and adults. Patients with a positive end-of-therapy FDG-PET scan have an inferior outcome.

The ultimate goal of paediatric oncology is to provide cure at least cost to the child. Nowhere is this truer than for those children who undergo the most intensive therapy, including BMT. Long-term effects for these children are therefore of great importance, and have been the subject of recent review in the journal. 1 Over 50% of children presenting with AML can now expect to be cured. 2,3 The majority of these children have received intensive chemotherapy, often including high-dose chemotherapy prior to BMT. In the past, many of these children received total body irradiation (TBI) as part of their BMT treatment. There is no doubt that TBI impairs growth, puberty and fertility in many patients. 1 Recent reports have described outcome in children transplanted using busulfan as a substitute for TBI. However,

Background Central nervous system (CNS) atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RT) are aggressive tumors usually diagnosed in young children and characterized by SMARCB1 (INI1, hSNF5) gene abnormalities. Despite initial chemo-radiation responsiveness, most children die of progressive disease (PD). Little data regarding familial AT/RT clinical course exist. This study described and compared familial (F) versus sporadic (S) AT/RT and elucidated SMARCB1 mutations and inheritance patterns. Methods A retrospective chart review, pedigree, and SMARCB1 analysis were done. Results Between January 1989 and June 2009, 20 children with CNS AT/RT were diagnosed, 8-S and 12-F. Median age at diagnosis (months) of S and F patient were: 13 and 4.8, respectively. Median survival (months) was S-21, F4.5, and 8-all. Pedigree analyses showed unaffected parent carriers with multiple affected offspring. Conclusions Children with F-AT/RT are younger, have more extensive disease, and are more likely to die from PD than children with S-AT/RT. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy were important in achieving long-term survival. Pedigree analysis supports autosomal dominant inheritance pattern with incomplete penetrance. Germline SMARCB1 mutation analysis is important in all patients diagnosed with AT/RT to (1) determine actual incidence of F-AT/RT, (2) determine penetrance of predisposing mutations, (3) provide appropriate genetic counseling, and (4) establish surveillance screening guidelines.

All patients with FS had either persistent fevers or symptoms localized to the sinuses (facial pain, nasal congestion, or rhinorrhea). Endoscopic examination was helpful when necrosis was detected. We recommend directed biopsies of suspicious lesions, the middle and inferior turbinate, in immunocompromised, neutropenic pediatric patients with cancer who present with either persistent fevers or localizing symptoms to the sinuses. We favor the use of "rush" biopsies over frozen sections because of the better-quality sections and ability to perform appropriate stains.