Pediatric Central Nervous System Embryonal Tumors: Presentation, Diagnosis, Therapeutic Strategies, and Survivorship-A Review.

Central nervous system (CNS) embryonal tumors represent a diverse group of neoplasms and have a peak incidence in early childhood. These tumors can be located anywhere within the CNS, and presenting symptoms typically represent tumor location. These tumors display distinctive findings on neuroimaging and are staged using magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spine as well as evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid.

Feasibility pilot trial of a tailored medication adherence-promotion intervention for adolescents and young adults with cancer: Study design and protocol.

Background: Medication non-adherence is common among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer and associated with poor health outcomes. AYAs with cancer endorse multiple barriers to adherence that differ across individuals, suggesting that tailoring intervention content to an AYA's specific barriers may have the potential to improve adherence. The purpose of this manuscript is to report on ORBIT-guided Phase I design efforts to create the first tailored adherence-promotion intervention for AYAs with cancer and the study protocol for the ongoing Phase II pilot feasibility trial.

Pharmacokinetics of cancer therapeutics and energy balance: the role of diet intake, energy expenditure, and body composition.

Energy balance accounts for an individual's energy intake, expenditure, and storage. Each aspect of energy balance has implications for the pharmacokinetics of cancer treatments and may impact an individual's drug exposure and subsequently its tolerance and efficacy. However, the integrated effects of diet, physical activity, and body composition on drug absorption, metabolism, distribution, and excretion are not yet fully understood.

Barriers to medication adherence among adolescents and young adults with cancer.

Background: Adherence promotion is a critical component of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer care, but predictors of nonadherence that could be targeted in intervention efforts remain largely unknown. The purpose of this multi-site longitudinal observational study was to examine the relationship between barriers and medication adherence among AYAs with cancer.

Procedure: Sixty-five AYAs (ages 15-24 years; mean age = 18.

Pediatric Low-Grade Spindle Cell Neoplasm With A Novel Fusion: A Case Report.

Objectives: Spindle cell neoplasms (SCN) share a single commonality of spindle-shaped cells on histopathology but are diverse in etiology. Expanding our collective knowledge of these neoplasms could further research in targeted therapies. We present a case of pediatric cutaneous SCN with a novel etiology, and the methods used to identify its origination.

Chemotherapy roadmaps in pediatric oncology: A digital electronic medical record integrated solution.

Background: Delivery of antineoplastic regimens in the pediatric setting is facilitated by a paper roadmap. Paper roadmaps are the key safety tool required for safe ordering. Electronic medical record systems offer technological solutions for ordering antineoplastic regimens, however, do not offer a solution that integrates paper roadmaps digitally.

Feasibility and acceptability of a home-based resistance training intervention in adolescent and young adult hematopoietic cell transplant survivors.

Background: Adolescent and young adult (AYA) hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) survivors are at increased risk of metabolic syndrome and lean body mass (LBM) deficits. Resistance training (RT) is a potential intervention to improve LBM, metabolic fitness, and reduce risk of cardiovascular disease.

Procedure: Eligible participants ages 13-39 years, 80-120 days post-HCT, transfusion independent, and prednisone dose ≤1 mg/kg/day were approached.

Feasibility of a behavioral intervention using mobile health applications to reduce cardiovascular risk factors in cancer survivors: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Determine the feasibility of a remotely delivered mobile health (mHealth)-supported intervention to improve diet and physical activity in hematologic malignancy survivors.

Methods: Pilot randomized controlled trial of a 16-week intervention for improving diet and physical activity: individualized goal-setting (daily steps, sodium, saturated fat, added sugar intake) per feedback from mHealth trackers (Fitbit for activity; Healthwatch360 for diet), supplemented by a Facebook peer support group. Controls accessed the trackers without goal-setting or peer support.

Perioperative Cardiothoracic and Vascular Risk in Childhood Cancer and its Survivors.

CHILDREN with cancer and survivors of childhood cancer have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and this risk in the perioperative period must be understood. During diagnosis and treatment of pediatric cancer, multiple acute cardiovascular morbidities are possible, including anterior mediastinal mass, tamponade, hypertension, cardiomyopathy,and heart failure. Childhood cancer survivors reaching late childhood and adulthood experience substantially increased rates of cardiomyopathy, heart failure, valvular disease, pericardiac disease, ischemia, and arrhythmias.

Sexual Activity and Substance Use Among Adolescents and Young Adults Receiving Cancer Treatment: A Report from the PRISM Randomized Controlled Trial.

Despite health implications, sexual activity and substance use among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) receiving cancer treatment are understudied. AYAs 12-25 years of age participated in a randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of a resilience intervention. They were fluent in English and either diagnosed with new cancer (NC) or advanced cancer (AC).

Lasting effects of cancer and its treatment on employment and finances in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors.

Background: The impact of cancer and its treatment on employment and financial burden in adolescents/young adults (AYAs) is not fully known.

Methods: Eligibility for this cross-sectional study of AYA cancer survivors included the diagnosis of a malignancy between ages 18 and 39 years and survey completion within 1 to 5 years from diagnosis and ≥1 year after therapy completion. Participants were selected randomly from the tumor registries of 7 participating sites and completed an online patient-reported outcomes survey to assess employment and financial concerns.

Association of Pre-pregnancy BMI and Postpartum Weight Retention Before Second Pregnancy, Washington State, 2003-2013.

Background Maternal overweight and obesity is one of the most common high-risk obstetric conditions associated with adverse birth outcomes. Smaller studies have suggested that pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) is associated with postpartum weight retention. Objective The primary objective of this study was to examine the association between pre-pregnancy BMI status and maternal weight retention.

Adipokines, Inflammation, and Adiposity in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Survivors.

Adult survivors of acute leukemia in childhood have a higher-than-expected frequency of obesity and are at increased risk for metabolic syndrome and early mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Adipose tissue has been recognized as an endocrine and paracrine organ that secretes various adipokines involved in metabolic regulation and inflammatory processes. In this study, we examined inflammatory factors (IL-6 and TNF-α) and adipokines (adiponectin, leptin), in addition to body composition and adiposity, in cancer survivors who underwent hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) during childhood compared with sibling controls.

Intimacy, Substance Use, and Communication Needs During Cancer Therapy: A Report From the "Resilience in Adolescents and Young Adults" Study.

Purpose: The prevalence of intimacy and substance use among adolescents and young adults during cancer therapy has not been well described.

Methods: The "Resilience in Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer" study was a prospective, multicenter, mixed-methods cohort study. English-speaking patients 14-25 years old with newly diagnosed cancer were invited to complete a comprehensive survey at the time of enrollment (T1) and 3-6 months later (T2).

Progression of Hip Dysplasia in Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I Hurler After Successful Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Background: Dysostosis multiplex contributes substantially to morbidity in patients with Hurler syndrome (mucopolysaccharidosis type I Hurler phenotype [MPS I-H]), even after successful hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). One of the hallmarks of dysostosis multiplex in MPS I-H is hip dysplasia, which often requires surgical intervention. We sought to describe in detail the course of hip dysplasia in this group of patients, as assessed by radiographic analysis, and to identify potential outcome predictors.

Ofatumumab for refractory opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome following treatment of neuroblastoma.

Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome (OMS) may be associated with ANNA-1 (anti-Hu) autoantibodies. The standard treatment with IVIG, steroids, and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody may fail, and optimal therapy is unknown. A patient developed OMS with high-titer ANNA-1 following recovery from neuroblastoma.