Five-year results in Ewing's sarcoma. The Scandinavian Sarcoma Group experience with the SSG IX protocol

Intensified Induction Therapy for Newly Diagnosed, Localized Skeletal Ewing Sarcoma (ISG/AIEOP EW-1): A Randomized, Open-Label, Phase 3, Non-Inferiority Trial

BACKGROUND

Several studies have shown that the intensity of treatment in Ewing sarcoma has an impact on outcome. The present trial tested the non-inferiority of intensive, shorter, induction chemotherapy (25 weeks total treatment time) compared to the standard treatment (37 weeks) in non-metastatic Ewing sarcoma (ES) at onset.

PROCEDURE

This national, multicenter, parallel, randomized, controlled, open-label, non-inferiority, phase III trial was conducted in 14 specialized hospitals in Italy. Patients aged 2-40 years with newly diagnosed localized ES were randomized to receive four courses of induction therapy (one every 21 days) either with a standard arm (Arm A) or with an intensive arm (Arm B). For consolidation therapy, good responders (GRs) in Arm A received nine courses (37 weeks), while Arm B patients received five courses (25 weeks). Poor responders for both arms received four courses followed by high-dose busulfan/melphalan + autologous stem cell rescue. Follow-up was 5 years.

RESULTS

In the study period 2009-2018, 274 patients with ES at onset were screened, 248 were eligible, 15 refused randomization, and 233 were randomized (Arm A: 113; Arm B: 120). Median age was 14 years. Arm B was not inferior to Arm A: 5-year EFS was 77.5% and 71.6%, respectively (HR vs. Arm A: 0.74, 90% CI: 0.49-1.14). GRs were 54.9% in Arm A and 62.5% in Arm B. Hematological, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular Grade ≥3 toxicities had higher frequencies in Arm B.

CONCLUSIONS

Intensive induction therapy showed non-inferiority in 5-year EFS when compared with the standard induction therapy. Higher toxicity was reported in Arm B with similar outcome, counterbalanced in GRs with a shorter treatment plan.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov Identifier: NCT02063022.

Vascularized fibular grafting following tumor resection demonstrates acceptable long-term outcomes in Denmark: a national retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 Vascularized fibular grafting following tumor resection is an essential treatment option in limb salvage surgery. We aimed to evaluate: (I) bone healing, (II) complications and reoperations, (III) limb salvage, and (IV) survival.

METHODS

 We present a retrospective evaluation of a national cohort comprising 27 patients. The indications were 13 cases of Ewing sarcoma, 12 cases of osteosarcoma, and 2 cases of giant cell tumor. The median age at surgery was 16 years (interquartile range [IQR] 10-18), and the median follow-up was 82 months (IQR 32-101). Patients were analyzed overall, as well as in subgroups based on tumor location (upper versus lower extremity) and pathology (osteosarcoma versus Ewing sarcoma).

RESULTS

 The primary rate of graft union was 63%, and after secondary procedures the overall rate of graft union was 67%, with a median time to union of 13 months (IQR 9-17). The reoperation rate was 74%, while the limb salvage rate was 93%. The 5-year overall survival rate was 81% (95% confidence interval [CI] 61-92). Patients with upper extremity tumors were more likely to attain graft union (risk ratio [RR] 5.5, CI 1.3-31.5) and less likely to undergo multiple reoperations (RR 0.3, CI 0.8-0.9) than patients with lower extremity tumors.

CONCLUSION

 Vascularized fibular grafting following tumor resection was associated with a graft union rate of 67%, a high frequency of reoperations, a high limb salvage rate (93%), and a 5-year survival rate of 81%.

New Approaches Promise to Improve Local Ewing Sarcoma Results

The study by Whelan and colleagues showed that addition of busulfan and melphalan conditioning and autologous stem cell rescue to conventional EURO-E.W.I.N.G STUDY chemotherapy in local nonmetastatic Ewing sarcoma improves prognosis. However, almost 30% of these study patients will have relapsed before this stage of therapy is reached, and 78% of his patients were at high risk because of inadequate response to the initial chemotherapy given. Further improvement could be achieved by the integration of other novel advances with this approach. Ash and colleagues have shown that the separation of such cases into high- and low-risk groups by using CD56 negativity of the tumor cells is an improvement over current methods with a 100% 10-year progression-free survival in CD56- nonpelvic local isolated Ewing sarcoma patients. Their patients were treated on the SCMCIE 94 protocol, associated with no relapses before 30 months in 24 consecutive patients independent of the CD status. Integration of these novel approaches in diagnosis and treatment would allow truly high-risk patients, who would benefit from the procedure, to reach the busulfan and melphalan stage of therapy and delineate those patients who can be cured without such therapy. Details of the SCMCIE 94 protocol are given and the possible reasons for the different relapse patterns are discussed.

NUT Carcinoma: Clinicopathologic Features, Molecular Genetics and Epigenetics

Nuclear protein in testis (NUT) carcinoma is a rare, highly aggressive, poorly differentiated carcinoma occurring mostly in adolescents and young adults. This tumor usually arises from the midline structures of the thorax, head, and neck, and exhibits variable degrees of squamous differentiation. NUT carcinoma is defined by the presence of a NUTM1 (15q14) rearrangement with multiple other genes. In about 70-80% of the cases, NUTM1 is involved in a balanced translocation with the BRD4 gene (19p13.12), leading to a BRD4-NUTM1 fusion oncogene. Other variant rearrangements include BRD3-NUTM1 fusion (~15-20%) and NSD3-NUTM1 fusion (~6%), among others. The diagnosis of NUT carcinoma requires the detection of nuclear expression of the NUT protein by immunohistochemistry. Additional methods for diagnosis include the detection of a NUTM1 rearrangement by fluorescence in situ hybridization or by reverse transcriptase PCR. NUT carcinoma is usually underrecognized due to its rarity and lack of characteristic histological features. Therefore, the goal of this review is to provide relevant recent information regarding the clinicopathologic features of NUT carcinoma, the role of the multiple NUTM1 gene rearrangements in carcinogenesis, and the impact of understanding these underlying molecular mechanisms that may result in the development of possible novel targeted therapies.

Outcomes of Ewing sarcoma in adults over 40 years of age from a low-middle income country

Introduction

The data on outcomes and toxicity in adult Ewing sarcoma (ES) patients, particularly those aged ≥40 years, is exceedingly scarce around the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and mandates research.

Methods

The study involved histologically ascertained ES patients aged ≥40 years who registered at our institute from 2013 to 2018. Prospectively collected data were analysed for overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS) and chemotherapy-related toxicities.

Results

There were 66 patients, of which 34 were non-metastatic, and 32 were denovo metastatic, recurrent or had doubtful metastasis. At presentation, median age was 46 years, and 42 (63.6%) had extra-skeletal primary and 24 (36.3%) had extremity tumours. Curative treatment was offered to 40 (60.6%) patients. Significant grade 3/4 toxicities in non-metastatic and metastatic cohort, respectively, were febrile neutropenia (61.3%, 37.5%), anaemia (58.1%, 37.5%), thrombocytopenia (45.2%, 25.0%), peripheral neuropathy (25.8%, 12.5%) and dyselectrolytemia (25.8%, 6.25%). Chemotherapy-related toxicity led to death in three patients in the metastatic cohort, versus none in the non-metastatic patients. The 5 year EFS and OS for non-metastatic cohort were 53.8% and 67.8%, while the same for metastatic cohort were 20.7% and 27.5%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-performance status >2 and metastasis at presentation predicted poorer EFS and OS. Additionally, raised lactate dehydrogenase, larger tumours (>8 cm) and palliative intent treatment predicted worse EFS, while extra-skeletal primary and female gender were indicators of worse OS.

Conclusions

Older adult ES patients benefit from aggressive multimodality treatment even in LMIC infrastructure. However, careful patient selection, close monitoring and pertinent dose modifications is imperative due to higher propensity for potential toxicities.

Pelvic Ewing sarcoma: Should all patients receive pre-operative radiotherapy, or should it be delivered selectively?

BACKGROUND

Locally recurrent disease following surgical resection of Ewing sarcoma (ES) confers a poor prognosis. Limited evidence is available evaluating non-selective use of pre-operative radiotherapy (RT) for patients with pelvic ES and its effect on local control and survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

49 consecutive patients with pelvic ES were identified retrospectively from a prospectively collated database. Patients either received non-selective pre-operative RT and surgery (n = 27), or selective post-operative RT (n = 22) (surgery alone (n = 11) or surgery and post-operative RT (n = 11)).

RESULTS

Patients who had non-selective pre-operative radiotherapy appeared to have a higher LRFS, 88.0% compared to 66.5% in the selective RT group (p = 0.096, Kaplan Meier; p = 0.028, Chi-squared). Administration of non-selective, pre-operative RT to all patients with pelvic ES elevates the LFRS to that of the good responder group (≥90% tumour necrosis and margins, p = 0.880). There was no difference in metastasis-free survival, 60.0% and 54.5% (p = 0.728) and overall survival (OS), 57.7% and 63.6% (p = 0.893). The majority of pre-operative RT patients had both good necrosis (≥90%) (p = 0.003) and widely excised tumours, 81.5% vs 59.1% (p = 0.080). Tumour volume ≥250 ml was associated with worse LRFS (p = 0.045) and post-operative complications (p = 0.017). There may be improved LRFS (p = 0.057) with pre-operative proton-beam RT compared to surgery and selective post-operative RT.

CONCLUSION

Pre-operative photon or proton-beam RT to all pelvic ES may improve LRFS compared to the selective delivery of post-operative RT. Radiotherapy delivered to all patients results in a greater percentage of highly necrotic tumours at surgical excision, enabling a greater proportion of patients with wide resection margins.

Ewing Sarcoma-Diagnosis, Treatment, Clinical Challenges and Future Perspectives

Ewing sarcoma, a highly aggressive bone and soft-tissue cancer, is considered a prime example of the paradigms of a translocation-positive sarcoma: a genetically rather simple disease with a specific and neomorphic-potential therapeutic target, whose oncogenic role was irrefutably defined decades ago. This is a disease that by definition has micrometastatic disease at diagnosis and a dismal prognosis for patients with macrometastatic or recurrent disease. International collaborations have defined the current standard of care in prospective studies, delivering multiple cycles of systemic therapy combined with local treatment; both are associated with significant morbidity that may result in strong psychological and physical burden for survivors. Nevertheless, the combination of non-directed chemotherapeutics and ever-evolving local modalities nowadays achieve a realistic chance of cure for the majority of patients with Ewing sarcoma. In this review, we focus on the current standard of diagnosis and treatment while attempting to answer some of the most pressing questions in clinical practice. In addition, this review provides scientific answers to clinical phenomena and occasionally defines the resulting translational studies needed to overcome the hurdle of treatment-associated morbidities and, most importantly, non-survival.

Tumor Mutation Burden and Checkpoint Immunotherapy Markers in NUT Midline Carcinoma

NUT midline carcinoma (NMC) is a rare, aggressive poorly differentiated carcinoma genetically defined by NUTM1 gene rearrangement. The purpose of this study was to determine the tumor mutational burden (TMB) and the expression of immunohistochemical (IHC) markers in NMCs that are generally used to identify patients that might benefit from checkpoint immunotherapy. Three cases in a 39-year-old male (case 1) and two 13-year-old females (cases 2, 3) were identified from departmental files, with confirmation by NUT IHC and 15q14 rearrangement by fluorescent in situ hybridization. Normal-tumor paired whole exome sequencing (WES) was applied to determine TMB. IHC for DNA mismatch repair proteins, Programmed cell death ligand 1, programmed cell death 1 (PD1), and CD8 was also performed. WES yielded a TMB of 7.61 and 1.52 per Mbp in the primary and pulmonary metastasis in case 1, respectively, and a TMB of 1.04 per Mbp in the primary tumor of case 2. Programmed cell death ligand 1 tumor proportion score was 20%, 1%, and 0% and combined positive score was 25, 5, and 0 in cases 1, 2, and 3, respectively; PD1 stain counts were 25, 52, and 35 per high-power field and the PD1/CD8 ratio was 95%, 95%, and 99% in cases 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The CD8 count per high-power field was 15, 33, and 30 per high-power field in cases 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Mismatch repair IHCs showed retained staining. Although the number of cases is limited, this study is the first to investigate checkpoint immunotherapy markers in NMCs and the results demonstrate no clear biomarker association. However, the results suggest that, if checkpoint therapy is under consideration, a comprehensive workup utilizing WES and IHC is warranted.

(Neo)adjuvant chemotherapy and interdigitated split-course hyperfractionated radiation in high risk soft tissue sarcoma - Results from a large single-institution series

A single-institution series using a (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy and interdigitated hyperfractionated split-course radiation therapy (CRT) treatment protocol for soft tissue sarcoma was reviewed. Our specific aims were to study recurrence rates and long-term toxicity. Between 1998 and 2016, 89 patients with non-metastatic soft tissue sarcoma were treated with surgery combined with six courses of doxorubicin and ifosfamide and hyperfractionated radiation therapy (42-60 Gy/1.5 Gy twice daily). Patients were considered being at high risk if tumour malignancy grade was high and the tumour fulfilled at least two of the following criteria: size >8 cm, presence of necrosis or vascular invasion. The mean age of the patients was 50.7 years. With a median follow-up of 5.4 years for survivors, the local control rate was 81.4%. Six (7%) patients progressed during neoadjuvant CRT. Seven (8%) patients discontinued the treatment due to toxicity. Eighty-six patients were operated and three (3%) of these developed a long-term complication. The estimated metastasis-free survival was 47.6% and overall survival 53.0% at five years. The limb-salvage rate was 93%. The limb-salvage rate, local control and complication rates were good in these patients with high risk soft tissue sarcoma. Metastases-free survival and overall survival rates were less satisfactory, reflecting the aggressive nature of these tumours.

Ewing Sarcoma in Nepal Treated With Combined Chemotherapy and Definitive Radiotherapy

PURPOSE

To our knowledge, we conducted the first prospective oncologic clinical trial in Nepal aimed at providing state-of-the-art chemotherapy to patients with Ewing sarcoma. The efficacy of external-beam radiotherapy (RT) as the sole local treatment modality was explored and deemed justified as a result of the lack of available advanced tumor-orthopedic services in Nepal.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty patients, 11 female and 9 male patients between the ages of 6 and 37 years, with newly diagnosed Ewing sarcoma were enrolled. Neoadjuvant combination chemotherapy, comprising well-established drug combinations, was administered in five courses before external-beam RT, during which one course of etoposide and ifosfamide was given. After RT, six additional chemotherapy courses were scheduled.

RESULTS

RT was tolerated well, providing rapid symptom relief and local tumor control, with no pathologic fractures observed among the 15 patients who received such treatment. Eleven patients completed the entire treatment protocol; seven patients were under continued follow-up, with no evidence of disease in six patients at a median follow-up time of 2.3 years (range, 1.3 to 3.1 years) and one patient alive but with a regional recurrence. Four patients experienced metastatic relapse and died as a result of their disease. Three treatment-related deaths linked to toxicity from chemotherapy occurred. Four of the six patients who refused to complete the treatment protocol and were lost to follow-up experienced progressive disease and were assumed dead.

CONCLUSION

This study was feasible with RT as the sole local treatment modality in combination with chemotherapy. As a result of the high number of patients lost to follow-up, no firm conclusions can be drawn, but the majority of the patients who completed treatment obtained durable long-term remissions.

SCMCIE94: an intensified pilot treatment protocol known to be associated with cure in CD 56-negative non-pelvic isolated Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is also associated with no early relapses in non-metastatic extremity EWS

PURPOSE

We report the unexpected absence of early relapse (before 30 months) in 24 consecutive patients with isolated limb primary Ewing sarcoma treated with an intensified pilot protocol, SCMCIE94.

METHODS

Clinical data for the study were collected retrospectively from the patient files. The protocol included 6 courses of chemotherapy, split radiation, and limb salvage surgery. This SCMCIE94 protocol had been used in almost all the patients described in an earlier report, in whom those with non-pelvic isolated tumors and low/absent CD56 expression in Ewing sarcoma tumor cells were all long-term survivors.

RESULTS

The 5-year (10-year) event-free survival rate for the patients with isolated limb primary Ewing sarcoma was 78.95 ± 8.3% (68.6 ± 10.0%) and the overall survival rate was 90.7 ± 6.2% (71.1 ± 11.2%). There were no relapses before 30 months in any of these patients.

CONCLUSION

The intensified SCMCIE94 pilot protocol has been shown previously to cure patients with localized CD56-negative non-pelvic Ewing sarcoma. The present study shows that among all patients with localized extremity disease who were treated with this protocol, there were no cases of early relapse. Although our cohort was small, the difference in results from studies using other protocols is so striking, that it would seem reasonable to assume it is attributable to the changes made in the protocol itself rather than risk factors. Late relapses of isolated limb CD56-positive Ewing sarcoma suggest minimal residual disease warranting additional therapeutic approaches such as autologous stem cell rescue after Busulfan Melfelan.

Timing of Local Therapy Affects Survival in Ewing Sarcoma

PURPOSE

We aimed to investigate the relationship between survival and time to local therapy after initiation of up-front chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with localized Ewing sarcoma.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

The National Cancer Database was queried for patients with localized Ewing sarcoma treated with primary chemotherapy and subsequent local therapy. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated for patients initiating local therapy 6 to 15 weeks and ≥16 weeks after chemotherapy initiation. Multivariable binomial logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with prolonged time to local therapy. A multivariable Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify factors associated with overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

The final cohort included 1318 patients. A higher proportion of patients initiating local therapy 6 to 15 weeks after chemotherapy initiation versus ≥16 weeks after chemotherapy initiation were ≤21 years old (79.5% vs 72.0%; P = .004). Age >21 years (P < .001; hazard ratio, 1.65; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-2.12), tumor size >8 cm (P = .016), and time to local therapy ≥16 weeks (P = .005; hazard ratio, 1.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.80) were associated with reduced OS; after review of margin status, negative margins were associated with improved OS compared with gross disease (P = .029). Patients initiating local therapy at 6 to 15 weeks versus ≥16 weeks had a 5-year OS of 78.7% versus 70.4% and a 10-year OS of 70.3% versus 57.1%, respectively (P < .001). The difference in OS according to time to local therapy was particularly more important in patients receiving radiation therapy alone. Age >21 years and treatment by radiation therapy alone were associated with delayed time (>16 weeks) to local therapy, whereas private insurance and income >$48,000 were less likely to be associated with delayed local therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Delayed time to local therapy ≥16 weeks after chemotherapy initiation was independently associated with worse survival in patients with localized Ewing sarcoma.

NUT carcinoma of the nasal cavity that responded to a chemotherapy regimen for Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors: a case report

Background

Nuclear protein in testis (NUT) carcinoma (NC) is a rare epithelial malignancy characterized by rearrangement of the NUT gene on chromosome 15. If NC is not suspected, it is often diagnosed as other malignancies. We present the case of NC of the nasal cavity that responded to a chemotherapy regimen for Ewing’s sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT).

Case presentation

A 49-year-old male presented with epistaxis and pain in the left eye. The patient had a tumor in the left nasal cavity at initial visit and it was biopsied. Firstly, the man was diagnosed with ESFT based on a histopathological examination. The tumor markedly responded to standard cytotoxic chemotherapy for ESFT with distant metastasis. After the start of therapy, a chromosomal analysis revealed an atypical translocation in ESFT and additional immunostaining was positive for anti-NUT antibody. Ultimately, the patient was definitively diagnosed with NC. He received multidisciplinary therapy and symptoms were temporarily relieved. However, he died 9 months after the diagnosis of NC.

Conclusions

When a pathologically undifferentiated tumor is evident along the midline of the body, NC must be included in the differential diagnosis, and immunohistochemical staining or genetic testing/chromosomal analysis needs to be performed.

NUT Carcinoma: Clinicopathologic features, pathogenesis, and treatment

NUT carcinoma (NC) is a rare, aggressive subtype of squamous cell carcinoma defined by rearrangement of the NUTM1 (aka NUT) gene. NC is driven by NUT-fusion oncoproteins resulting from chromosomal translocation, most commonly BRD4-NUT. This is a nearly uniformly lethal cancer affecting patients of all ages, but predominantly teens and young adults. The cell of origin is unknown, but NC most commonly arises within the thorax and head and neck. NC typically consists of sheets of monomorphic primitive round cells that can exhibit focal abrupt squamous differentiation. Diagnosis of NC is easy, and can be established by positive NUT nuclear immunohistochemical staining. Though characterization of the NUTM1-fusion gene is desirable by molecular analysis, it is not required for the diagnosis. The increasingly widespread availability of the NUT diagnostic test is leading to increasing diagnoses of this vastly underdiagnosed disease. The NUT midline carcinoma registry (www.NMCRegistry.org) serves as a central repository that has provided the main source of clinical and outcomes data for NC. Currently there is no effective therapy for NC, however small molecules directly targeting the BRD4 portion of BRD4-NUT, termed BET bromodomain inhibitors, have shown activity.

Free vascularized fibula grafting in the operative treatment of malignant bone tumors of the upper extremity: A systematic review of outcomes and complications

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Vascularized bone grafting after tumor resection can be an important component in the treatment of bony neoplasms of the upper extremity. The purpose of this study was to determine the outcomes of free vascularized fibula grafting (FVFG) in the treatment of upper extremity sarcomas.

METHODS

A systematic review of the literature of FVFG used in the treatment of upper extremity sarcomas was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 56 studies were included in final analysis. The most common diagnosis was osteosarcoma (35.1%) and the most common recipient site was the humerus (57.3%). FVFG had a median union rate of 93.3%, with the median time to union being 5.0 months. The most common complications were fracture (11.7%), nerve injury (7.5%), infection (5.7%), and hammer toe deformity (3.3%). The reoperation rate was 34.5%. The most commonly reported standardized assessment of clinical outcomes following treatment was the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score, which had a median of 80% postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

FVFG in the treatment of malignant bony neoplasms of the upper extremity has a high rate of union and good overall outcomes; however, postoperative complication rates are high. A greater degree of standardization is needed in the reporting of patient-centered outcomes to facilitate future comparative studies.

Pediatric NUT-midline carcinoma: Therapeutic success employing a sarcoma based multimodal approach

A subset of poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas, NUT midline carcinomas (NMC) are characterized by a translocation t(15;19)(q13;p13) [ 1 ]. The prognosis is generally dismal [ 2 ] and therapeutic success has been limited to exceptional cases [ 3 ]. We present two cases of pediatric NMC from two different institutions treated according to a multimodal sarcoma approach involving surgery, chemotherapy, and focal radiotherapy. One patient has remained in complete continuous remission for over 6 years, while the other is in CR in early follow-up off therapy. Our proposed multimodal strategy apparently meets the aggressive biologic nature of NMC and should be considered for further evaluation in this context potentially in the setting of a clinical trial.

First evidence of treatment efficacy in metastatic carcinoma of the parotid gland with BRD4/NUT translocation

BACKGROUND

Nuclear protein in testis (NUT) midline carcinomas (NMC) are characterized by rearrangements of the gene NUT. In the majority of NMCs, a translocation t(15;19), resulting in a BRD4/NUT fusion gene, is present. Nuclear protein in testis midline carcinomas is a rare, but probably underdiagnosed entity due to misdiagnosis. Most cases have been reported in the mediastinum and upper aero-digestive tract. The clinical course of a NMC is extremely aggressive, in spite of intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy, with an average survival < 1 year.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A 32-year-old man presented with a pre-auricular swelling on the left side. After partial parotidectomy, the diagnosis of a NMC was made based on the presence of t(15;19)(q14;p13.1) and BRD4/NUT fusion gene demonstrated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). During postoperative radiotherapy, the patient developed bone metastases for which chemotherapy consisting of cisplatine, doxorubicine and ifosfamide (PAI) was initiated with remarkable clinical and radiological improvement. Nevertheless, the response was not durable.

CONCLUSION

This case illustrates that responses to chemotherapy in the palliative treatment of a t(15;19)-translocated salivary gland carcinoma are possible but not durable.

Very long-term outcomes after endoprosthetic replacement for malignant tumours of bone

AIMS

The aim of this study was to establish what happens to patients in the long term after endoprosthetic replacement for a primary malignant tumour of bone.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database to identify all patients who had undergone an endoprosthetic replacement more than 25 years ago and who were still alive. Their outcomes were investigated with reference to their complications and need for further surgery. A total of 230 patients were identified. Their mean age at diagnosis was 20.7 years (five to 62). The most common diagnosis was osteosarcoma (132). The most common site was the distal femur (102).

RESULTS

The mean follow-up was 29.4 years (25 to 43). A total of 610 further operations were undertaken, an average of 2.7 further operations per patient. A total of 42 patients (18%) still had the original prosthesis in place. The risk of amputation was 16% at 30 years (31 patients). Those without infection had a mean of 2.1 further operations (one to nine) while those with infection had a mean of 4.6 further operations (two to 11). The risk of infection persisted throughout the life of the prosthesis with a mean of 1% per year becoming infected. Of the 60 patients who developed an infection, 21 (35%) developed this following the primary procedure at a mean of 50 months, but another 19 developed this within a year of another surgical procedure. The risk of infection after any further surgery was 2.7%. The site with the highest risk of infection was the proximal tibia (43.3%).

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

This study highlights the inevitable need for further surgery following first-generation endoprosthetic reconstruction, although in most cases, limb salvage is maintained. Late complications, especially infection, continue for the lifetime of the implant. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:857-64.

Referral patterns, treatment and outcome of high-grade malignant bone sarcoma in Scandinavia--SSG Central Register 25 years' experience

AIMS

The objectives of this study were to present changes in referral patterns, treatment and survival in patients with high-grade malignant bone sarcoma in Sweden and Norway based on data in the Scandinavian Sarcoma Group (SSG) Central Register.

METHOD

Data on 1,437 patients with diagnosis 1986-2010 was analyzed.

RESULTS

Osteosarcoma was the most frequentl diagnosis (45%), followed by Ewing sarcoma (21%) and chondrosarcoma (17%). Thirty-one percent of Swedish and 41% of Norwegian patients had tumors in the axial skeleton. Eighty-six percent of extremity tumors and 66% of axial tumors were referred to a sarcoma center prior to unplanned surgery or biopsy. During the past decade, limb salvage surgery has risen from under 50% to over 80%. Five-year overall survival in non-metastatic osteosarcoma was 70% for extremity tumors, and 35% for axial tumors. No improvement in osteosarcoma survival was observed during the last decade. Five-year survival in Ewing sarcoma improved from 50% to 69%.

CONCLUSION

Referral patterns in bone sarcomas have improved. However, greater efforts should be dedicated to improving referral of patients with possible tumors in the axial skeleton to multidisciplinary teams (MDTs). Overall survival of patients with high-grade malignant bone sarcomas in Sweden and Norway is in line with other reports.

Impressive Response to Dose-Dense Chemotherapy in a Patient with NUT Midline Carcinoma

Patient: Male, 21

Final Diagnosis: NUT midline carcinoma

Symptoms: Fatigue • fever • pain

Medication: Romidepsin

Clinical Procedure: Chemotherapy

Specialty: Oncology

Surgically treated patients with axial and peripheral Ewing's sarcoma family of tumours: A population based study in Finland during 1990-2009

BACKGROUND

The surgical treatment of Ewing's sarcoma family tumours (ESFTs) is challenging especially with axial tumours. The aim of the study was to analyse surgical treatment and outcome in a nationwide, population-based material consisting of surgically treated axial and peripheral ESFTs of bone and soft tissue.

METHODS

The data were collected from the Finnish National Cancer Registry and the medical records of patients diagnosed during 1990-2009. Fifty-seven patients with surgically treated ESFTs were included, 22 with an axial and 35 with a peripheral primary tumours. The surgical treatment, its complications, survival and prognostic factors were analysed.

RESULTS

Fifty-four patients underwent surgery with a curative intent and three underwent de-bulking operations. Bone reconstruction was performed in six patients with an axial and 15 with a peripheral tumour. Positive resection margins were associated with a worse five-year local relapse-free survival (33% vs. 84% for those with resection margins free of tumour cells, p = 0.003). The five-year sarcoma-specific survival was affected only by an axial location of the primary (61% vs. 89% for those with a peripheral tumour, p = 0.031). The late complications were mainly associated with bone reconstruction and more frequent among patients with a peripheral compared to an axial tumour (p = 0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

In the treatment of ESFTs, achieving adequate resection margins is crucial to avoid local relapses. Surgical complications are common particularly with bone reconstruction.

Marginal miss or radioresistance? The pattern of local recurrence after operation and 3D planned radiation treatment in soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities and the limb girdles; an analysis based on image fusion

BACKGROUND

Most local recurrences have developed in the clinical target volume in previously published series after combined modality treatment for soft tissue sarcoma. However, marginal misses were seen in almost 20% of the patients. The aim of the present study was to determine the location of the recurrence and the total dose at the centre point of the local recurrence for future radiation therapy planning.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We included only patients with images in digital form, during 1999-2006 (n = 17), treated for soft tissue sarcoma with combined surgical therapy and radiotherapy at Helsinki University Central Hospital. Image fusion was used to determine the location of the recurrence in relation to radiation therapy target.

RESULTS

In the present study utilising digital image fusion, in patients with 3D CT-based radiation treatment planning the risk of marginal miss was low as only one patient of 17 relapsed outside the target. Estimated mean radiation dose at the site of local recurrence was 49.1 Gy in patients with positive margins and 48.1 Gy in patients with negative margins.

CONCLUSION

The risk of marginal miss in soft tissue sarcoma is low after modern 3D planned radiation treatment combined with surgery. More generous use of boost might improve in-target local control.

Proton radiotherapy for pediatric sarcoma

Pediatric sarcomas represent a distinct group of pathologies, with approximately 900 new cases per year in the United States alone. Radiotherapy plays an integral role in the local control of these tumors, which often arise adjacent to critical structures and growing organs. The physical properties of proton beam radiotherapy provide a distinct advantage over standard photon radiation by eliminating excess dose deposited beyond the target volume, thereby reducing both the dose of radiation delivered to non-target structures as well as the total radiation dose delivered to a patient. Dosimetric studies comparing proton plans to IMRT and 3D conformal radiation have demonstrated the superiority of protons in numerous pediatric malignancies and data on long-term clinical outcomes and toxicity is emerging. In this article, we review the existing clinical and dosimetric data regarding the use of proton beam radiation in malignant bone and soft tissue sarcomas.

Formation and Rupture of the Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm after Multiple Courses of Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy for Management of the Skull Base Ewing Sarcoma/PNET: Case Report

Background Aneurysm formation after stereotactic irradiation of skull base tumors is rare. The formation and rupture of an internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm in a patient with skull base Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), who underwent surgery followed by multiple courses of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and chemotherapy, is described.

Case Description A 25-year-old man presented with a sinonasal tumor with intraorbital and intracranial growth. At that time cerebral angiography did not reveal any vascular abnormalities. The lesion was resected subtotally. Histopathologic diagnosis was Ewing sarcoma/PNET. The patient underwent multiple courses of chemotherapy and three courses of IMRT at 3, 28, and 42 months after initial surgery. The total biologically effective dose delivered to the right ICA was 220.2 Gy. Seven months after the third IMRT, the patient experienced profound nasal bleeding that resulted in hypovolemic shock. Angiography revealed a ruptured right C4–C5 aneurysm and irregular stenotic changes of the ICA. Lifesaving endovascular trapping of the right ICA was done. The patient recovered well after surgery but died due to tumor recurrence 6 months later.

Conclusion Excessive irradiation of the ICA may occasionally result in aneurysm formation, which should be borne in mind during stereotactic irradiation of malignant skull base tumors.

Extensor function after medial gastrocnemius flap reconstruction of the proximal tibia

BACKGROUND

Reconstruction of the extensor mechanism after resection of the proximal tibia is challenging, and several methods are available. A medial gastrocnemius flap commonly is used, although it may be associated with an extensor lag. This problem also is encountered, although perhaps to a lesser extent, with other techniques for reconstruction of the extensor apparatus. It is not known how such lag develops with time and how it correlates with functional outcome.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

We therefore (1) assessed patellar height with time, (2) correlated patellar height with function using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score, and (3) correlated patellar height with range of motion (ROM) after medial gastrocnemius flap reconstruction.

METHODS

Sixteen patients underwent tumor endoprosthesis implantation and extensor apparatus reconstruction between 1997 and 2009 using a medial gastrocnemius flap after sarcoma resection of the proximal tibia. These patients represented 100% of the population for whom we performed extensor mechanism reconstructions during that time. The minimum followup was 2 years (mean, 5 years; range, 2-11 years). Fourteen patients were alive at the time of this study. We used the Blackburne-Peel Index to follow patellar height radiographically with time. Functional outcomes were assessed retrospectively using the MSTS, and ROM was evaluated through active extensor lag and flexion.

RESULTS

Eleven patients had patella alta develop, whereby the maximal patellar height was reached after a mean of 2 years and then stabilized. More normal patellar height was associated with better functional scores, a smaller extensor lag, but less flexion; the mean extensor lag (and flexion) of patients with patella alta was 17° (and 94°) compared with only 4° (and 77°) without.

CONCLUSIONS

In our patients patella alta evolved during the first 2 postoperative years. Patella alta is associated with extensor lag, greater flexion, and worse MSTS scores. Surgical fixation of the patellar tendon more distally to its anatomic position or strict postoperative bracing may be advisable.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, clinical cohort study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Adult ewing sarcoma: survival and local control outcomes in 102 patients with localized disease

Objectives. To assess the clinical features and local control (LC) outcomes in adult patients with localized Ewing Sarcoma (ES). Methods. The records of 102 ES patients with localized disease ≥18 years of age seen from 1977 to 2007 were reviewed. Factors relevant to prognosis, survival, and LC were analyzed. Results. The 5-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) were 60% and 52%, respectively, for the entire cohort. Treatment era (1977–1992 versus 1993–2007) remained an independent prognostic factor for OS on multivariate analysis, with improved outcomes observed in the 1993–2007 era (P = 0.02). The 5-year OS and EFS for the 1993–2007 era were 73% and 60%, respectively. Ifosfamide and etoposide based chemotherapy and surgery were more routinely used in the 1993–2007 era (P < 0.01). The 5-year local failure rate (LFR) was 14%, with a 5-year LFR of 18% for surgery, 33% for radiation, and 0% for combined surgery and radiation in the 1993–2007 era (P = 0.17). Conclusion. Modern survival outcomes for adults with localized ES are similar to multi-institutional results in children. This improvement over time is associated with treatment intensification with chemotherapy and increased use of surgery. Aggressive LC (combined surgery and radiation) may improve outcomes in poor prognosis patients.

Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors in Finland during 1990-2009: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors (ESFTs) are rare bone and soft tissue tumors characterized by specific genetic alterations. Our aim was to carry out a nationwide analysis of ESFT, to survey the treatments used and to report the five-year disease specific and event-free survival rates (EFS and DSS).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study data was gathered from the Finnish National Cancer Registry and all five University Hospitals and consisted of 76 bone and soft tissue ESFT patients diagnosed during 1990-2009. Their medical records were reviewed and data on their disease, treatments, complications and outcome were analyzed.

RESULTS

The five-year EFS and DSS of patients with localized disease at diagnosis (n = 57) were 70% and 60%, respectively. Factors contributing to DSS and EFS were the axial vs. peripheral site of primary tumor and adequate surgical resection of the primary tumor. DSS was also affected by patient's age at diagnosis and the treatment employed. The five-year DSS of patients with metastatic disease at diagnosis (n = 19) was 33% and both preoperative and high dose chemotherapy were associated with improved survival.

CONCLUSION

Population-based studies including both bone and soft tissue ESFTs are few. In this nationwide, population-based study on Finnish bone and soft tissue ESFT patients, we find their treatment successful and results comparable to those previously published. Absence of metastases, young age at diagnosis and a peripheral primary tumor site were associated with a better prognosis. It seems that surgical resection of the primary tumor should be performed whenever adequate resection margins can be achieved. The role of high dose chemotherapy merits further studies in this setting.

Pedicled vascularized fibular graft with Ilizarov external fixator for reconstructing a large bone defect of the tibia after tumor resection

BACKGROUND

Large bony defects in the middle or distal third of the tibia resulting from surgical resection of malignant bone tumors present a difficult reconstructive challenge. Various methods of reconstruction are available, such as allografts, vascularized fibular graft (either free or pedicled), or endoprothesis replacement for distal defects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twelve patients--eight males and four females with mean age of 18 years at operation (range 14-25 years)--with malignant bone tumors of the tibial shaft were selected as candidates for wide resection of the tumor and reconstruction of the bony defect by ipsilateral vascularized fibular graft based on the peroneal vessels. Preoperative staging studies, including plain radiography, local MRI, isotopic bone scan, and chest CT, were done for every patient before biopsy. Ilizarov external fixation was then applied in all cases. The average length of the bony gap bridged was 14.5 cm (13-16.5 cm) and the mean length of the harvested graft was 16.3 cm (15-18 cm). The average operation time was 7.5 h (5.5-9.5 h).

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 38 months (range 32-52 months). Bony union at the proximal and distal ends of the fibula occurred in nine patients (75 %) and at a mean time of 5.5 months (range 4.5-8 months). Graft hypertrophy occurred in all patients. The mean percentage of hypertrophy was 95 % (range 80-160 %). The mean MSTS functional score was 84 % (range 80-92 %). A leg length discrepancy of 2 cm was reported in two patients and was managed using a shoe lift.

CONCLUSION

Reconstruction of bony defects of the middle or distal tibia after bone tumor resection using pedicled vascularized fibula is a useful limb salvage procedure. The procedure can be performed relatively quickly and inexpensively and has a low rate of late complications. It leads to a good outcome regarding the union, hypertrophy, and function.

Management of bone tumours in paediatric oncology

The management of bone tumours in paediatric oncology requires careful multidisciplinary planning due to the need for multimodal therapy approaches. The non-specific symptoms often lead to a delayed definitive diagnosis of a bone tumour. Imaging procedures are of major importance for an individualised and optimised treatment planning. They have to be carried out before any surgery, including biopsies. The introduction of multi-agent chemotherapy has led to a significant improvement in survival rates in patients suffering from Ewing's sarcomas and osteosarcomas. However, local therapy still remains indispensable in order to achieve long-term survival. For osteosarcoma, surgery remains the only adequate local therapy modality. Radiotherapy may be considered if surgery is not feasible. In these cases, high radiation doses need to be applied. The choice for local therapy modality is not as clear in patients with Ewing's sarcoma. Today, surgery is often preferred if a wide or at least marginal resection can be carried out. Additional radiotherapy is advised in patients with marginal/intralesional resection or poor histological response to induction chemotherapy. Definitive radiotherapy is recommended for inoperable lesions. In the future, new radiotherapy approaches, such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy or proton therapy, may yield better results with minor risks of late effects.

Risk adapted chemotherapy for localised Ewing's sarcoma of bone: the French EW93 study

AIM OF THE STUDY

To determine whether a risk factor adapted chemotherapy would improve the outcome of non-metastatic bone Ewing's sarcoma.

METHODS

Standard risk tumours (SR, good histological response to chemotherapy or small unresected tumours) received the previous EW88 chemotherapy. Ifosfamide/etoposide (IE) were introduced after 3 courses of cyclophosphamide/doxorubicine when tumour regression was <50% or during consolidation therapy for the intermediate risk tumours (IR, intermediate histological response 5-30% residual cells or large unresected tumours >100ml). High risk tumours (HR, histological poor response >30% residual cells or clinical poor response <50% for unresectable tumours), received IE prior high dose busulfan/melphalan with stem cell rescue.

RESULTS

From 1993 to 1999, 214 patients were enrolled. 5 y-EFS and OS were 60% (95% confidence interval (CI), 53-66) and 69% (95% CI, 63-75), respectively. 116 (54%), 46 (21%), 48 (22%) patients were considered as SR, IR and HR of relapse, respectively. No advantage to IE was observed in the IR group. As compared to previous study, tumour with poor histological response to induction chemotherapy seemed to benefit from the consolidation strategy including busulfan/melphalan: EFS were 45% (95% CI, 30-60) and 20% (95% CI, 7-43) for EW93 and EW88, respectively. Despite a risk-adapted strategy, histological response to chemotherapy remains the main prognostic factor in resected tumours, while initial tumour volume is the main prognostic factor for unresected tumours.

CONCLUSION

These results showing a potential benefit of a consolidation strategy including busulfan/melphalan as compared to conventional chemotherapy needed confirmation by a randomised trial and were one of the bases of the ongoing EuroEwing99.

Nonmetastatic Ewing family tumors: high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue in poor responder patients. Results of the Italian Sarcoma Group/Scandinavian Sarcoma Group III protocol

BACKGROUND

High-dose chemotherapy (HDT) was added to conventional chemotherapy in Ewing sarcoma family tumor (EFT) patients, poor responders (PRs) to induction chemotherapy in order to improve their survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients aged ≤40 years with nonmetastatic Ewing sarcoma (ES) received vincristine (V), doxorubicin (A), cyclofosfamide (C), actinomycin (Ac), ifosfamide (I) and etoposide (E) (VACAc-IE regimen) as induction chemotherapy. As maintenance treatment, good responders (GR) received nine cycles of VACAc-IE regimen. PRs received three cycles of VAC-IE, mobilizing cycle with CE and HDT with Busulfan and Melphalan with stem cell support.

RESULTS

Three hundred patients [median age 15 years (3-40 years)] entered the study. One patient refused local treatment, 242 (81%) underwent surgery [with radiotherapy (RT) in 80] and 57 (19%) RT alone. No toxic deaths were recorded. Overall GR were 146 (49%). Twenty-eight PR did not receive HDT. At a median follow-up of 64 months (21-116 months), 5-year overall and event-free survival (EFS) were 75% and 69%, respectively. Five-year EFS was 75% for GR, 72% for PR treated with HDT and 33% for PR who did not receive HDT.

CONCLUSIONS

High-dose therapy added to the VACA-IE regimen in PR patients is feasible and effective. Selected groups of patients with ES can benefit from HDT.

Chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of inoperable high-grade osteosarcoma

Radical surgery is not feasible for all osteosarcoma patients. Overall survival for non-extremity osteosarcoma, as well as for patients with metastatic disease at diagnosis remains poor. For such patients, radical radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy may present an effective treatment approach. This report describes the results of conservative treatment for osteosarcoma patients not suitable for surgery. Seven out of 71 consecutive osteosarcoma patients were treated non-surgically at the Helsinki University Central Hospital either due to the inoperability of the tumour or the patient's choice of therapy. Staging procedures and measurement of tumour size were performed using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Six patients were treated with chemo-radiotherapy, and one patient received radiotherapy alone. Five patients received computer-assisted dose-planned radiotherapy with curative intent (total dose 60-70.5 Gray), and two patients received radiotherapy as palliation. Radiotherapy relieved symptoms efficiently. Median time to local failure was 2.6 years (range 0.5-16.9+ years). Five year after treatment termination four patients were alive, and one of them remained disease-free. For selected patients not suitable for surgery, radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy provides an option to reduce symptoms caused by the primary tumour and improve quality of life. For some patients, this approach may (even) produce long-term remission.

Vascularized fibula grafts for reconstruction of bone defects after resection of bone sarcomas

We evaluated the results of limb-sparing surgery and reconstruction of bone defects with vascularized fibula grafts in 8 consecutive patients (mean age at operation 13.6 years (range 4.1–24.2 years), female/male = 6/2) with bone sarcomas (BS) (osteosarcoma/Ewing's sarcoma/chondrosarcoma= 4/3/1) operated on form 2000 to 2006. The bone defects reconstructed were proximal femoral diaphysis and epiphysis (n = 2), humeral diaphysis (n = 2), humeral proximal diaphysis and epiphysis (n = 1), femoral diaphysis (n = 1), ulnar diaphysis (n = 1), and tibial diaphysis (n = 1). One patient with Ewing's sarcoma had an early hip disarticulation, developed multiple metastases, and died 9 months after the operation. The remaining patients (n = 7) are all alive 50 months (range 26–75 months) after surgery. During the follow-up the following major complications were seen: 1-2 fractures (n = 4), pseudarthrosis (n = 2), and hip dislocation (n = 1). Limb-sparing surgery with reconstruction of bone defects using vascularized fibular grafts in BS cases is feasible with acceptable clinical results, but fractures should be expected in many patients.

Primitive neuroectodermal tumor of the jejunum; a case report and literature review

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE

The aim of this paper is to report an unusual presentation of extranodal follicular dendritic cell tumor of neck with spinal metastasis. Follicular dendritic cells are nonlymphoid immune accessory cells present in the germinal centers of lymphoid follicles and play a crucial role in the induction and maintenance of the humoral immune response. Tumors from these cells are rare and treatment modality poorly defined.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 37-year-old lady presented with recurrent neck swelling which was initially reported as malignant paraganglioma. The primary disease was treated with surgery and radiotherapy. Eleven years later, the patient presented with metastasis to the spinal cord. Subsequent immunohistochemical analysis of the primary site tumor and the metastatic deposits revealed it to be a follicular dendritic cell tumor.

INTERVENTION

The patient was treated with surgery followed by radiotherapy to spine, and one and half year after treatment, the patient is doing well and has regained complete motor functions.

CONCLUSION

Metastasis to spinal cord for follicular dendritic cell tumor is very rare, and to the best of our knowledge, no such case has been previously reported in the scientific literature so far. In the present case, good local control was achieved with initial surgery and radiotherapy but resulted in distant failure after 11 years. This underlines the need for adjuvant systemic therapy, and understanding the biology of the tumor may help in formulating targeted therapy in the future for this rare disorder.

The value of local treatment in patients with primary, disseminated, multifocal Ewing sarcoma (PDMES)

BACKGROUND

The value of local treatment in patients with primary, disseminated, multifocal Ewing sarcoma (PDMES) was investigated.

METHODS

We analyzed 120 patients registered into the European Ewing Tumor Working Initiative of National Groups (EURO-E.W.I.N.G. 99) trial at the trial center of Muenster from 1998 to 2006. Median age was 16.2 years. Local treatment of the primary tumor was surgery in 26 of 120 patients, surgery and radiotherapy in 21 patients, and definitive radiotherapy in 40 patients. For treatment of metastases, 6 of 120 patients received surgery; 9 patients, surgery and radiotherapy; and 33 patients, definitive radiotherapy. Forty-seven (39%) patients had local treatment of both the primary tumor and metastases, 41 (34%) patients of either the primary tumor or metastases, and 32 (27%) received no local therapy.

RESULTS

Event-free survival (EFS) at 3 years was 0.24 (95% CI, 0.16-0.33). Univariate analyses demonstrated the impact of local therapy given to the primary tumor: 3-year EFS was 0.25 with surgery, 0.47 with surgery and radiotherapy, 0.23 with radiotherapy, and 0.13 when no local therapy was administered (P < .001). Three-year EFS in PDMES was also influenced by the local treatment: surgery, 0.33; surgery and radiotherapy, 0.56; radiotherapy, 0.35; no local therapy, 0.16 (P = .003). Three-year EFS was 0.39 in patients who received local treatment of both primary tumor and PDMES, compared with 0.17 in patients with any local treatment of either primary tumor or PDMES and 0.14 in patients with no local therapy (P < .001). Multivariate analysis showed absence of local treatment to be the major risk factor (HR = 2.21; P = .027; n = 20).

CONCLUSIONS

Local therapy of involved sites is important for patients with PDMES and should complement systemic treatment whenever possible.

Chemotherapy in Ewing's sarcoma

Ewing's sarcoma constitutes three per cent of all pediatric malignancies. Ewing's sarcoma has generally been more responsive to chemotherapy than adult-type sarcomas, and chemotherapy is now recommended for all patients with this disease. It is essential to integrate local control measures in the form of surgery and/or radiotherapy at the appropriate time, along with chemotherapy to eradicate the disease. This approach has improved the survival substantially to the tune of 70% in localized disease, although outcome for metastatic disease remains dismal. Newer therapeutic approaches are required to improve outcome for metastatic and recurrent or refractory Ewing's sarcoma in organized co-operative group trials.

Health status at long-term follow-up in patients treated for extremity localized Ewing Sarcoma or osteosarcoma: a Scandinavian sarcoma group study

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to evaluate late effects and symptom complaints in long-term survivors (>5 years) of Extremity Bone Sarcoma (EBS survivors). The results were compared with findings in age- and gender-matched individuals from the general population (NORMs).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Among 155 EBS survivors approached, 133 (86%) were included, and 110 of them (83%) attended an outpatient examination. Health status was evaluated by a mailed questionnaire concerning demographic and current health issues, and physical examinations at the outpatient clinic. Age- and gender-adjusted normative controls were drawn from participants of the Health Study of Nord-Trøndelag County (HUNT 2).

RESULTS

Median age at follow-up was 29 (15-57) years. Median follow-up was 12 (6-22) years. Of EBS survivors 42% had > or =1 somatic disease, 33% had ototoxicity and 13% had reduced renal function. EBS survivors were more likely to have heart disease (odds ratio [OR], 7.9; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 2.5-25.3; P = 0.001), hypertension (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.1-10.1; P = 0.03) and thyroid disease (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.1-8.3; P = 0.04) compared to NORMs. EBS survivors reported more diarrhoea (29% vs. 19%, P = 0.02), palpitations (23% vs. 13%, P = 0.01) and shortness of breath (11% vs. 5%, P = 0.01) than NORMs.

CONCLUSIONS

EBS survivors have poorer health status compared to age- and gender-matched controls. Long-term follow-up of these patients is therefore mandatory.

Long-lasting multiagent chemotherapy in adult high-risk Ewing's sarcoma of bone

The outcome of Ewing's sarcoma depends on the anatomical site of the tumor. Studies conducted in high-risk patients are limited. We evaluated the outcome of high-risk Ewing's sarcoma patients that received long-term treatment protocol. Twenty-five patients (22 males, 3 females) with poor prognostic features were treated according to long-term Ewing's sarcoma protocol. Central-axis localization, inadequacy or unavailability of surgical resection, older than 15 years of age, are accepted as high-risk factors. The median age of patients was 23 years (range, 18-55). The tumor localization was pelvis (9), femur (1), tibia (1), fibula (1), maxilla (1), clavicle (1), vertebrae (5), metatarse (1), and ribs (5). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was applied between weeks 0 and 6, local therapy on week 9, and adjuvant maintenance chemotherapy between weeks 11 and 41. All patients received neoadjuvant and adjuvant maintenance chemotherapy. Local therapy consisted of radiotherapy (32%), surgery alone (12%), or surgery and radiotherapy (56%). The median total treatment period was 10 months. The median follow-up was 25 months (range, 7-89). Three-year cumulative OS and DFS rates were 43% (95% CI, 28.5-57.85) and 40% (95% CI 23.63-52.19), respectively. The most common grade III/IV toxicities observed during the treatment protocol were neutropenia (16%) and gastrointestinal toxicities (16%). Our study indicated that long-term multiagent combination chemotherapy may result in better outcome in adult high-risk patients undergoing adequate surgical resection of the tumor and local radiotherapy. Further randomized studies are needed to assess the efficacy of this treatment protocol in patients with adequate surgical margins.

Post-operative radiotherapy for Ewing sarcoma: when, how and how much?

Postoperative radiotherapy in Ewing family of tumors has undergone continuous evolution over the last few decades to establish its role in the combined modality management of these tumors. The process of evolution is still far from over. This review analyzes the evidence from major multi-institutional prospective trials as well as large retrospective institutional series in Ewing tumors to determine the current standards and controversies in postoperative radiation. The indications of PORT, radiation dose-fractionation, timing, target volumes and treatment planning, as well as the late effects are reviewed. A summary of evidence based consensus is presented and unresolved aspects are discussed. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;51:575-580. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Limb-sparing surgery preserves more function than amputation: a Scandinavian sarcoma group study of 118 patients

We evaluated the long-term functional outcome in 118 patients treated for osteosarcoma or Ewing's sarcoma in the extremities a minimum of five years after treatment. We also examined if impaired function influenced their quality of life and ability to work. The function was evaluated according to the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score and the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score (TESS). Quality of life was assessed by using the Short Form-36 (SF-36). The mean age at follow-up was 31 years (15 to 57) and the mean follow-up was for 13 years (6 to 22). A total of 67 patients (57%) initially had limb-sparing surgery, but four had a secondary amputation. The median MSTS score was 70% (17% to 100%) and the median TESS was 89% (43% to 100%). The amputees had a significantly lower MSTS score than those with limb-sparing surgery (p < 0.001), but there was no difference for the TESS. Tumour localisation above knee level resulted in significantly lower MSTS scores and TESS (p = 0.003 and p = 0.02, respectively). There were no significant differences in quality of life between amputees and those with limb-sparing surgery except in physical functioning. Of the patients 11% (13) did not work or study. In multivariate analysis, amputation, tumour location above the knee and having muscular pain were associated with low physical function. We conclude that most of the bone tumour survivors managed well after adjustment to their physical limitations. A total of 105 are able to work and have an overall good quality of life.

Emerging chemotherapeutic strategies and the role of treatment stratification in Ewing sarcoma

The Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) is one of the most common groups of malignancies arising in children, adolescents, and young adults up to approximately 25 years of age. It comprises Ewing sarcoma arising from bone and extraosseous Ewing sarcoma arising from soft tissues (which includes peripheral neuroectodermal tumors and Askin tumor arising from the chest wall). Ewing sarcoma is treated successfully in many cases by a combination of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy. A number of prognostic factors have been identified that can be used to stratify patients according to the risk of relapse, allowing optimization of treatment. These can be categorized as tumor-related factors (presence of metastases, tumor site, volume, lactic dehydrogenase level, chromosomal translocation type, presence of fusion transcripts in blood and bone marrow), treatment-related factors (local therapy, histologic response to chemotherapy, radiologic response to chemotherapy, chemotherapy regimen), and patient-related factors (gender, age). Newer chemotherapeutic agents are currently being investigated, and there is now increasing interest in the identification of molecular targets in ESFT that could be exploited therapeutically, which include the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptor pathways.

Definitive radiotherapy for ewing tumors of extremities and pelvis: long-term disease control, limb function, and treatment toxicity

PURPOSE

More than 70% of Ewing tumors occur in the extremities and pelvis. This study identified factors influencing local control and functional outcomes after management with definitive radiotherapy (RT).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 75 patients with a localized Ewing tumor of the extremity or pelvis were treated with definitive RT at the University of Florida between 1970 and 2006 (lower extremity tumors in 30, pelvic tumors in 26, and upper extremity tumors in 19). RT was performed on a once-daily (40%) or twice-daily (60%) basis. The median dose was 55.2 Gy in 1.8-Gy daily fractions or 55.0 Gy in 1.2-Gy twice-daily fractions. The median observed follow-up was 4.7 years. Functional outcome was assessed using the Toronto Extremity Salvage Score.

RESULTS

The 10-year actuarial overall survival, cause-specific survival, freedom from relapse, and local control rate was 48%, 48%, 42%, and 71%, respectively. Of the 72 patients, 3 required salvage amputation. Inferior cause-specific survival was associated with larger tumors (81% for tumors <8 cm vs. 39% for tumors >/=8 cm, p <0.05). No patient characteristics or treatment variables were predictive of local failure. No fractures occurred in patients treated with hyperfractionation or with tumors of the distal extremities. Severe late complications were more frequently associated with use of <8-MV photons and fields encompassing the entire bone or hemipelvis. A significantly better Toronto Extremity Salvage Score was associated with a late-effect biologically effective dose of <91.7 Gy(3).

CONCLUSIONS

Limb preservation was effectively achieved through definitive RT. Treating limited field sizes with hyperfractionated high-energy RT could minimize long-term complications and provides superior functional outcomes.