Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Children: Does Modified Platinum- and Doxorubicin-Based Chemotherapy Increase Tumor Resectability and Change Outcome? Lessons Learned From the SIOPEL 2 and 3 Studies.

Introduction: The aim of this article is to present an experience of two prospective studies from the International Childhood Liver Tumor Strategy Group (SIOPEL 2 [S2] and SIOPEL [S3]) trials and to evaluate whether modified platinum- and doxorubicin-based chemotherapy is capable of increasing tumor resectability and changing patient outcomes.

Methods: Between 1995 and 2006, 20 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were included in the S2 trial and 70 were included in the S3 trial. Eighty-five patients remained evaluable.

No advantage of a rotational continuation phase in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in childhood treated with a BFM back-bone therapy.

Background: Our aim was to compare two different schedules of maintenance in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with a BFM-based therapy, in a randomized study: an Arm with 6-MP + MTX (with or without vincristine and dexamethasone pulses) versus a more intensive continuation phase.

Procedure: From January 1996 to November 2002, 429 eligible children with ALL were enrolled in a protocol with BFM-based back-bone, followed by a randomized continuation phase in standard (SRG) and intermediate (IRG) risk groups. Patients were randomized between Arms A and B for SRG and B or C for IRG.

Treatment results in patients with retinoblastoma and invasion to the cut end of the optic nerve.

Background: There is little information on the outcome of patients with retinoblastoma and tumor at the resection margin of the optic nerve.

Procedure: Retrospective evaluation of three successive prospective protocols. Twenty-six consecutive patients were analyzed (International Staging System-IRSS-stage 2 = 21, stage 3 = 5) from three successive prospective protocols (1988-2006).

Revisiting the role of doxorubicin in the treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma: an up-front window study in newly diagnosed children with high-risk metastatic disease.

Purpose: Many cooperative groups have reported on the chemo-sensitivity of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Doxorubicin has been tested but remains a controversial treatment option. We report here the results of the up-front evaluation of the efficacy of doxorubicin in children and adolescents with high-risk metastatic RMS.

Experience with chemoreduction and focal therapy for intraocular retinoblastoma in a developing country.

Background: Chemoreduction is used for the treatment of retinoblastoma in industrialized nations; however, there are fewer data from developing countries. Before the implementation of this program, radiotherapy was used in almost all preserved eyes.

Methods: Retrospective evaluation from 1995 to 2001 at the Hospital Garrahan (Argentina).

Paediatric oncology in Argentina: medical and ethical issues.

The process of globalisation is affecting health and health care in Argentina, as it is in many other countries. The full extent of this effect is still unclear, but winners and losers in the world economy are emerging--not only different countries, but also sectors or populations within those countries. There are serious inequalities in health-care provision in Argentina, so that not all children with cancer receive the best possible therapy.