Rhabdomyosarcoma in children: Retrospective analysis from a single tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children occurring most commonly in the head and neck region. The treatment involves using a multimodality approach including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. Survival for patients with localized disease has improved markedly, but the treatment of advanced disease remains a challenge.

Impact of Radiation Therapy After High Dose Chemotherapy and Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Lymphomas: A Single Center Experience.

Introduction: After high dose chemotherapy (HDC) and autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT), in patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), involved field radiation therapy (RT) for consolidation and residual/progressive disease (PD) eradication is a common practice.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective single-institution cohort analysis to evaluate the impact of early RT after HDC auto-SCT.

Results: Between 1996 and October 2019, 153 patients (43 DLBCL, 110 HL) underwent RT after HDC auto-SCT.

Outcomes of autologous stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma in Saudi Arabia.

Background: In 2015, multiple myeloma (MM) represented 1% of all cancers and about 5% of hematologic malignancies in Saudi cancer registry. We conducted this large study because only small pilot studies have examined MM outcomes after autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT). The standard therapy for eligible patients is induction chemotherapy followed by ASCT.

Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma characteristics, management of primary and relapsed/refractory disease and outcome analysis: the first comprehensive report from the Middle East.

Background: Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is an uncommon variant of Hodgkin lymphoma. There is limited data on treatment, management of refractory and relapsed disease, and long-term outcome. Many registries or country-wide data reports are unable to provide detailed primary and subsequent management.

Hodgkin lymphoma involving extranodal sites in head and neck: report of twenty-nine cases and review of three-hundred and fifty-seven cases.

Introduction: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) involving the Waldeyer's ring (WR) and other extranodal head and neck sites are rare. We report our experience and PubMed literature review.

Methods: Retrospective single institution cohort study using lymphoma data base and PubMed literature search using twenty-six various search terms.

Low-dose fractionated radiation with induction docetaxel and cisplatin followed by concurrent cisplatin and radiation therapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer: A randomized phase II-III trial.

Objective/background: To evaluate the efficacy and outcome of adding low-dose fractionated radiotherapy (LDFRT) to induction chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiation in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC).

Methods: A single-institute, phase II-III, prospectively controlled randomized clinical trial was performed at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre. Patients aged 18-70 years with WHO type II and III, stage III-IVB nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score of 0-2, with adequate hematological, renal, and hepatic function were eligible.

Volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) versus 3D-conformal radiation therapy in supra-diaphragmatic Hodgkin's Lymphoma with mediastinal involvement: A dosimetric comparison.

Purpose: To compare volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with 3D-conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) mediastinal irradiation for stage I-II supra-diaphragmatic Hodgkin's Lymphoma (HL).

Patients And Methods: Eleven patients were planned for RT after 4-6 cycles of ABVD chemotherapy: conventional 3D-CRT (AP/PA) and VMAT plans were conformed to the same PTV. Objective was to choose the best PTV coverage plan with the least OAR dose.

Adult medulloblastoma: a single institution experience.

Unlabelled: Medulloblastoma is an aggressive posterior fossa tumor which is rare in adult. We aim to study the clinical features and outcome of adult medulloblastoma patients, and to identify poor outcome predictors.

Patients And Methods: From January 1995 to December 2006, 35 adult patients (>15 years of age at the time of diagnosis) underwent surgery for medulloblastoma followed by full dose of radiotherapy (54 Gy), with or without systemic chemotherapy.

Pediatric Hodgkin's lymphoma: changing concepts and moving points in radiation therapy.

The classic treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) in children resulted in significant late toxicity in long-term survivors. Late treatment effects included skeletal, cardio- pulmonary, gonadal toxicities, and second malignant tumor (SMN). This has driven pediatric HL groups to adopt treatment strategies using less intense chemotherapy, less alkylating agents, reduced radiation dose and volume, and omission of radiation therapy in selected group of patients.

Clinical experience in pediatric neuroblastoma intensity modulated radiotherapy.

Background: In spite of the numerous publications of dosimetric comparison of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) versus conventional radiotherapy in pediatrics, few data exist regarding the clinical use of IMRT and its potential late effects.

Procedure: Pediatric neuroblastoma patients treated between November 2008 and October 2010 with IMRT were reviewed. Treatment plans, clinical, laboratory and radiological data at the last follow up date were evaluated.

Intracranial germ cell tumors: a single-institution experience.

Background And Objectives: Intracranial germ cell tumors (GCTs) are not a common disease. We reviewed the experience of a single institution to determine the variables that affect treatment outcome.

Design And Setting: A retrospective review of patients with the diagnosis of intracranial germ cell tumors treated in a single institution (KFSHRC) during the period from March 1985 to December 2007.

Cone beam CT for organs motion evaluation in pediatric abdominal neuroblastoma.

Background And Purpose: To quantify the organ motion relative to bone in different breathing states in pediatric neuroblastoma using cone beam CT (CBCT) for better definition of the planning margins during abdominal IMRT.

Methods And Materials: Forty-two datasets of kV CBCT for 9 pediatric patients with abdominal neuroblastoma treated with IMRT were evaluated. Organs positions on planning CT scan were considered the reference position against which organs and target motions were evaluated.

Response of medulloblastoma cells to vincristine and lomustine: role of TRKC, CTNNB1 and STK15.

Background: Vincristine and lomustine are two important chemotherapeutic drugs used for the treatment of different types of neoplasms, including medulloblastomas.

Materials And Methods: We investigated the effects of vincristine and lomustine on 12 primary medulloblastoma cell cultures and the DAOY cell line using the annexinV-flow cytometry and immunoblotting techniques, following treatment of cells for different periods of time.

Results: Both drugs triggered apoptosis and cell cycle delay at the G(2)/M phase and also up-regulated p16.

Improved survival with combined chemo-radiotherapy in primary central nervous system lymphoma.

Background: Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) is an aggressive primary brain tumor. Cranial irradiation alone rarely results in long-term disease control or prolonged survival. We retrospectively analyzed data on the effect of adding high-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) prior to whole brain irradiation (WBI).

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Saudi Arabia: clinical presentation and diagnostic delay.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is commonly advanced at diagnosis. In this study we evaluated the clinical presentation, diagnostic delay and factors affecting delay in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Data were collected prospectively for 307 newly diagnosed patients, including detailed demographic data, disease history, health care consultations and referral process.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of pediatric patients with stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma.

Background And Objectives: While treatment outcomes for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) have improved remarkably, patients with disseminated disease still have a poorer outcome. Stage IV HL is often reported with other 'advanced stage' categories, confusing the specific contribution of disease dissemination to the outcome. This single-institution report looks at characteristics and outcomes of this specific category.

Curcumin inhibits the Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway and triggers apoptosis in medulloblastoma cells.

Medulloblastoma is an aggressive primary brain tumor that arises in the cerebellum of children and young adults. The Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway that plays important roles in the pathology of this aggressive disease is a promising therapeutic target. In the present report we have shown that curcumin has cytotoxic effects on medulloblastoma cells.

The Role of 18-FDG Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) in Detecting Post- Radiotherapy Loco Regional Relapse/Residual Disease in Nasopharyngeal Cancer.

Background: Post-radiotherapy nasopharyngeal changes represent a diagnostic dilemma. Early detection of persistent or recurrent disease may be translated to better cure rate if salvage therapy is implemented. Neither clinical exam nor current radiological anatomical studies (CT/MRI) can differentiate between benign post therapy changes and recurrence.

Treatment of aggressive fibromatosis: the experience of a single institution.

Aims: Aggressive fibromatosis is a locally aggressive infiltrative low-grade tumour, although pathologically benign, and it does not metastasise, yet it can cause serious local distressing symptoms by virtue of local destruction and impairment of local function. The aim of this study was to emphasise the role of radiotherapy and adequate surgery in the treatment of fibromatosis in patients presenting with newly diagnosed or recurrent disease and to analyse our treatment results over 15 years for this rare tumour type.

Materials And Methods: Fifty-four patients with confirmed diagnosis of aggressive fibromatosis treated at King Faisal Specialist Hospital between 1990 and 2006 were identified from our local cancer registry.

Primary angiosarcoma of the brain in a child.

We describe a pediatric case of primary angiosarcoma of the brain displaying striking intravascular papillary pattern, consistent with the "Dabska tumor," often in continuity with a massive, multifocal intravascular papillary endothelial hyperplasia. The tumor contained small hemangioma and obliterated dysplastic arteries as well as very large thin-walled veins. The surrounding brain tissue showed scattered telangiectasias, conglomerates of calcified dysplastic arteries, old hemorrhages and gliosis.

Ewing's Sarcoma of the Head and Neck: A Retrospective Analysis of 24 Cases.

Introduction and purpose. Primary Ewing's sarcoma arising from the bones of the head and neck region is extremely rare representing only 1- 4% of all Ewing's sarcoma cases. Previous reports suggest a better prognosis for that particular anatomic site.

Hodgkin lymphoma in very young children: Clinical characteristics and outcome of treatment.

In developed nations, Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is rare in <5-year olds and represent a minority in developing countries. Little is reported about the biology and behavior of these very young patients compared with older children. 18.

Factors affecting autologous peripheral blood stem cell collection in patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large cell lymphoma and Hodgkin lymphoma: a single institution result of 168 patients.

From 1996 to April 2006, 174 consecutive patients with relapsed or refractory diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL) and Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) received ESHAP as salvage and for mobilisation. Males 92, females 76. DLCL 64: HL 104, prior radiation in 35%.

Morphologic, immunphenotypic and clinical discriminators between T-cell/histiocyte-rich large B-cell lymphoma and lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin lymphoma.

Background: Features of T-cell/histiocyte rich large B-cell lymphoma (THRLBCL) overlap with those of lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (LPHL). The two lymphomas may represent a spectrum of the same disease, and differentiation between the two can sometimes be difficult. We looked at histomorphologic, immunophenotypic and clinical information that may help differentiate the two entities.