Early radiologic tumour volume response in non-metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma is not predictive for survival.

Background: There is an urgent need for early radiological markers predicting survival in paediatric rhabdomyosarcoma patients.

Objective: To analyse the predictive value of early radiological tumour volume response to chemotherapy in non-metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma patients.

Methods: The European paediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG) RMS 2005 study prospectively included non-metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma patients.

Surgical Lymph Node Staging in Extremity Rhabdomyosarcoma: The EpSSG RMS 2005 Trial Experience.

Background: The European pediatric soft tissue Sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG) RMS 2005 study recommends a lymph node biopsy for extremity rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). The aim of our study was to analyze the results of the lymph node sampling strategies used, such as sentinel node biopsy (SNB) and nodal sampling (NS), and compare the outcome of patients undergoing different nodal staging techniques.

Methods: All non-metastatic (M0) patients registered in the EpSSG RMS 2005 study with an RMS of the extremity, presenting between 2005 and 2016, were included for analysis of the lymph node sampling techniques used.

Maintenance Chemotherapy in Patients With High-Risk Rhabdomyosarcoma: Long-Term Survival Analysis of the European Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group RMS 2005 Trial.

The European Paediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG) RMS 2005 trial evaluated maintenance chemotherapy in high-risk rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Patients were randomly assigned to either discontinue treatment (standard arm) or receive six 28-day cycles of vinorelbine (25 mg/m) once per day on days 1, 8, and 15, plus once daily low-dose cyclophosphamide (25 mg/m; experimental arm). Initial results showed improved overall survival (OS), but disease-free survival (DFS) improvement was not statistically significant.

Prognostic role of bone erosion in orbital RMS: a report from the European Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG).

Background: Orbital rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is often limited to the orbital cavity and has a favorable prognosis. In some cases, the tumor can erode the orbital bone and behave as a parameningeal RMS (PM-RMS); thus, it is treated more intensively. However, the current protocols do not provide any guidance on how to consider different grades of bone erosion (BE) that can vary widely, hampering a uniform classification and the subsequent treatment assignment.

Parameningeal Rhabdomyosarcoma: Results of the European Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group RMS 2005 Study.

Background: Parameningeal (PM) site is an unfavorable characteristic in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). We described the treatment and outcome for patients with PM RMS and investigated the prognostic value of risk factors. We scored PM site by originating site and by highest risk extension.

The Impact of Radiation Therapy on Metastatic Rhabdomyosarcoma: Results From the EpSSG MTS 2008 Study.

Purpose: Radiation oncologists use radiation variably for children with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Data from the European paediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG) MTS 2008 study were retrospectively analyzed to validate the previous observation that the use of radiation is associated with improved outcomes and guide future recommendations on radiation use in this patient group.

Methods And Materials: The radiation delivered to 216 patients aged 0 to 21 years with metastatic RMS was retrospectively reviewed and classified as radical (all sites of disease irradiated within the protocol parameters), partial (some sites irradiated within the protocol parameters), and none (no radiation or delivered outside the protocol parameters).

Localized incompletely resected standard risk rhabdomyosarcoma in children and adolescents: Results from the European Paediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group RMS 2005 trial.

Background: The authors report the prospective evaluation of reduced dose alkylator chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy for European Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG) standard risk nonalveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (NA-RMS).

Patients And Methods: Localized node negative Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS) II/III NA-RMS at favorable sites (subgroup C), <25 years old, received five cycles of ifosfamide, vincristine, and dactinomycin (IVA) chemotherapy (30 g/m ifosfamide) and four cycles of vincristine and dactinomycin (if receiving radiotherapy), or nine cycles of IVA (54 g/m ifosfamide) ± radiotherapy. Delayed primary tumor excision was considered for IRS III tumors.

Intraoperative Measurement of Insertion Speed in Cochlear Implant Surgery: A Preliminary Experience with Cochlear SmartNav.

Objectives: The objectives were to present the real-time estimated values of cochlear implant (CI) electrode insertion speed (IS) during intraoperative sessions using the Cochlear Nucleus SmartNav System to assess whether this measure affected CI outcomes and to determine whether real-time feedback assists expert surgeons in achieving slow insertion.

Methods: The IS was measured in 52 consecutive patients (65 implanted ears) using the CI632 electrode. The IS values were analyzed in relation to procedure repetition over time, NRT ratio, and CI audiological outcomes.

Indeterminate pulmonary nodules in non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma: A study of the European paediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical impact of indeterminate pulmonary nodules (no more than four pulmonary nodules of less than 5 mm or one nodule measuring between 5 and less than 10 mm by computed tomography [CT]) in children and adolescents with adult-type non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma (NRSTS) at diagnosis.

Methods: Patients with NRSTS treated in 11 centers as part of the European paediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG) were retrospectively assessed. Local radiologists, blinded to clinical information except for patients' age and tumor histotype, reviewed the chest CT at diagnosis and filled out a case report form.

Relationship between hemoglobin, hemolysis, and transcranial Doppler velocities in children with sickle cell disease: Results from a long-term natural history study in Italy in the era of multimodal therapy.

Background: Stroke and cerebral vasculopathy are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is a reliable and validated predictor of stroke risk. Children with conditional or abnormal TCD are at an increased risk for stroke, which can be mitigated by red blood cell transfusion or hydroxyurea.

Intra-abdominal desmoplastic small round cell tumor: The European pediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG) experience.

Background: This study describes the clinical findings of a consecutive series of pediatric and adolescent patients with a diagnosis of intra-abdominal desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT) prospectively enrolled in European pediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG) protocols: the BERNIE study, the EpSSG MTS 2008 study, and the EpSSG NRSTS 2005 study.

Methods: Patients aged less than 21 years with a diagnosis of DSRCT arising in the abdomen were included. All trials recommended a multimodal approach including intensive multidrug chemotherapy and loco-regional treatment with surgery and/or radiotherapy whenever possible.

Metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma with exclusive distant lymph node involvement: A European Pediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG) report.

Background: The prognosis of patients with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is not uniformly poor. Tumors with nodal involvement beyond the first lymph node station are currently considered to have distant metastases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the characteristics and outcome of RMS patients with distal nodal involvement as the only site of metastasis.

Metastatic Rhabdomyosarcoma: Results of the European Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study Group MTS 2008 Study and Pooled Analysis With the Concurrent BERNIE Study.

Purpose: Outcome for patients with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is poor. This study presents the results of the MTS 2008 study with a pooled analysis including patients from the concurrent BERNIE study.

Patients And Methods: In MTS 2008, patients with metastatic RMS received four cycles of ifosfamide, vincristine, and actinomycin D (IVA) plus doxorubicin, five cycles of IVA, and 12 cycles of maintenance chemotherapy (low-dose cyclophosphamide and vinorelbine).

Adolescents and young adults with rhabdomyosarcoma treated in the European paediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG) protocols: a cohort study.

Background: Adolescent and young adult patients with rhabdomyosarcoma often have poorer outcomes than do children. We aimed to compare the findings of adolescent and young adult patients with children enrolled in two prospective clinical protocols.

Methods: This retrospective observational analysis was based on data from the European paediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG) rhabdomyosarcoma 2005 trial (phase 3 randomised trial for localised rhabdomyosarcoma, open from April, 2006, to December, 2016) and the EpSSG MTS 2008 protocol (prospective, observational, single-arm study for metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma, open from June, 2010, to December, 2016), which involved 108 centres from 14 different countries in total.

Perianal/perineal rhabdomyosarcoma: Results of the SIOP MMT 95, Italian RMS 96, and EpSSG RMS 2005 studies.

Background/objectives: Rhabdomyosarcoma of the perianal/perineal region (PRMS) is rare, with poor survival and limited understanding of the functional consequences of treatment.

Design/methods: International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) malignant mesenchymal tumor (MMT) 95, Italian RMS 96, and European paediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG) RMS 2005 studies were interrogated to identify factors that impact survival; in RMS 2005, functional outcomes were analyzed.

Results: Fifty patients (nonmetastatic) were identified, median age 6.

Localised rhabdomyosarcoma in infants (<12 months) and young children (12-36 months of age) treated on the EpSSG RMS 2005 study.

Background: Infants (<12 months) with rhabdomyosarcoma have historically had poorer outcome than the older age groups. We present outcomes for infants and young children aged 12-36 months with localised rhabdomyosarcoma with a particular emphasis on infants.

Patients And Methods: All children less than 36 months of age enrolled on the EpSSG RMS 2005 study for localised disease are included.

Congenital rhabdomyosarcoma: A report from the European paediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group.

Procedure: Congenital rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) represents a challenging disease due to its characteristics and the difficulties in delivering treatment in this immature population.

Methods: We analyzed treatment and outcome of patients with congenital RMS, defined as tumor diagnosed in the first 2 months of life, enrolled in the European paediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group protocols.

Results: Twenty-four patients with congenital RMS were registered.

Role of F-FDG-PET/CT in the staging of metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma: a report from the European paediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group.

Background: Initial staging of rhabdomyosarcoma is crucial for prognosis and to tailor the treatment. The standard radiology workup (SRW) includes magnetic resonance imaging, chest computed tomography (CT) and bone scintigraphy, but 18 Fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) (F-FDG-PET/CT (PET-CT)) use is increasing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of PET-CT in the initial staging of patients with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma enrolled in the European protocol MTS2008.

Role of centers with different patient volumes in the management of rhabdomyosarcoma. An analysis by the Italian Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Committee.

Procedure: The survival of children with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) has gradually improved as a result of the adoption of multidisciplinary treatments. Dedicated skills and facilities are indispensable and more readily available at reference centers. In this study, we examined the role of centers' experience (based on the number of patients treated) in their management of patients with RMS.

Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma-Impact of locoregional approach on patient outcome: A report from the European paediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG).

Background: Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma (PT RMS) is rare compared to benign scrotal pathology. Inappropriate first surgery (InFS) required supplementary treatment to maintain excellent outcomes. Initial staging of regional lymph nodes is important.