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Objective: The primary aims of this research were to examine substance use among adolescent and young adult survivors of pediatric cancer (AYA survivors) and AYA without a history of chronic or life threatening illness (AYA comparisons) and to explore links between demographic, medical, caregiver-AYA, and family system factors with AYA substance use patterns. Methods: Participants included 289 AYA (survivors, n = 171; comparisons = 118; 51% female; Mage = 17.15, SDage = 2.86) and their caregivers (Mage = 46.54, SDage = 6.81; 88% mothers). AYA and caregivers completed the family environment scale, and caregivers completed the parenting relationship questionnaire at the initial assessment. Two years later, AYA completed an assessment of substance use. Chi-square and frequency analyses were used to compare differences in substance use among AYA survivors and comparisons. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to examine links between AYA substance use patterns with family and caregiver-AYA system level factors. Results: Patterns of substance use did not differ between AYA survivors and comparisons. AYA survivors were more likely to report polysubstance use if caregivers endorsed problematic caregiver-AYA relationship patterns. Family functioning and caregiver relationship patterns did not predict AYA comparison substance use. Conclusion: AYA survivors were just as likely as AYA comparisons to engage in substance use, increasing their vulnerability to problematic health outcomes. Findings indicate that the role caregiver-AYA relationship patterns may have on youth at risk for substance use and potential mechanisms for future intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the association among fertility treatments, treatment protocol, and offspring neoplasm risk up to the age of 18 years.Design: A population-based retrospective cohort.Setting: Soroka University Medical Center (SUMC), the single tertiary medical center and in vitro fertilization (IVF) unit in southern Israel.Patient(s): All offspring born at the SUMC between the years 1995 and 2018 after IVF treatment (the exposed group) and offspring conceived spontaneously (the unexposed group).Intervention(s): The study was performed at the SUMC, the single tertiary medical center and IVF unit in southern Israel. The exposed and unexposed were matched with a ratio of 1:4, based on maternal age and calendar month of delivery. Data collection included a summary of the couple's medical records, delivery data, and offspring neoplasm diagnoses.Main Outcome Measure(s): Offspring neoplasm of any kind and time to diagnosis in each of the groups.Result(s): A total of 1,583 exposed and 5,874 offspring were included in the study. The incidences of offspring benign neoplasm were 14 (0.9%) versus 21 (0.4%), and the incidences of malignancies were 17 (1.1%) versus 29 (0.5%) among offspring of the IVF and spontaneous groups, respectively. The association between mode of conception and offspring neoplasm risk remained significant after adjusting for confounders, including mode of delivery and pregnancy complications such as hypertensive disorder, gestational diabetes mellitus, and preterm delivery compared with spontaneously conceived offspring. Among the IVF group, the increased risk for neoplasm was found among offspring who were transferred as fresh embryos, at an earlier stage of development (cleavage stage), or after three or more aspirated oocytes.Conclusion(s): IVF treatment is associated with offspring neoplasm risk; specifically, the risk was greater among offspring who were returned as fresh embryos, at an earlier embryotic stage (cleavage stage), or after three or more aspirated oocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue naoplasm in the peditric population. Its diagnosis may prove to be a dauting task due to non-specific symptoms it tends to produce, which is explainable by the fact that it may arise in any part of the body. Both histology and the place of origin of the tumour significantly affect the prognosis. Case report: A four year old girl with a history of non-painful, heamopurulent ear discharge which was initially diagnosed as chronic granulomatous otitis media presented at the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology upon the recurrence of these symptoms. The biopsy results showed an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma-like infiltration and the patient was referred to the Department of Pediatric Hematooncology at the Children's Hospital. The patient underwent a resective surgery that had been preceded by a course of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Following the surgery, a course of chemoradiotherapy was implemented. Currently the patient remains in remission. Conclusions: An early diagnosis is crucial in any neoplastic disease and rhabdomyosarcoma is no exception. Such diagnosis should be entertained in any instance of otolaryngological symptoms that are refractory to standard treatment.

Abstract: This population-based case–control study in Taiwan considered incident cases aged 15years or less and admitted in 2003 to 2007 for all neoplasm (ICD-9-CM: 140–239) (n =2606), including 939 leukemia and 394 brain neoplasm cases. Controls were randomly selected, with a case/control ratio of 1:30 and matched on year of birth, from all non-neoplasm children insured in the same year when the index case was admitted. Annual summarized power (ASP, watt-year) was calculated for each of the 71,185 mobile phone base stations (MPBS) in service between 1998 and 2007. Then, the annual power density (APD, watt-year/km2) of each township (n =367) was computed as a ratio of the total ASP of all MPBS in a township to the area of that particular township. Exposure of each study subject to radio frequency (RF) was indicated by the averaged APD within 5years prior to the neoplasm diagnosis (cases) or July 1st of the year when the index case was admitted (controls) in the township where the subject lived. Unconditional logistic regression model with generalized estimation equation was employed to calculate the covariate-adjusted odds ratio [AOR] of childhood neoplasm in relation to RF exposure. A higher than median averaged APD (approximately 168WYs/km2) was significantly associated with an increased AOR for all neoplasms (1.13; 1.01 to 1.28), but not for leukemia (1.23; 0.99 to 1.52) or brain neoplasm (1.14, 0.83 to 1.55). This study noted a significantly increased risk of all neoplasms in children with higher-than-median RF exposure to MPBS. The slightly elevated risk was seen for leukemia and brain neoplasm, but was not statistically significant. These results may occur due to several methodological limitations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The overall aim was to describe and compare well-being, social life, and quality care among parents of children with cancer with respect to mothers versus fathers and whether the children were on versus. off treatment. The Life Situation Scale for Parents (LSS-P) was answered by 320 parents, comprising 85 mothers and 71 fathers of children on treatment, and 93 mothers and 71 fathers of children off treatment. The results show that the well-being of parents of children with cancer is affected by their child's situation, and that they experience such things as economic strain and a sense of being dependent on the care provided, especially during the child's treatment phase. Mothers whose children are receiving treatment see their life situation as less satisfying, and report being sadder and having lower self-esteem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor is a low-grade soft tissue malignancy that can at times be difficult to differentiate from the less biologically aggressive cellular neurothekeoma. The two entities, which may display identical clinical and histological features, cannot be distinguished by immunohistochemical or molecular diagnostic means. Electron microscopy may enable the accurate identification of problematic examples and thus aid in resolving these occasionally occurring diagnostic dilemmas. To illustrate typical variations in the ultrastructural appearance of plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor, the authors present two diagnostically noncontroversial examples, and to demonstrate the potential diagnostic utility of electron microscopy in this setting, they present an example of plexiform fibrohistiocytic tumor that could not otherwise have been distinguished from cellular neurothekeoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Survival after childhood cancer has been improving since the late 1970s in most developed countries. The Childhood Cancer Registry of Piedmont has been recording malignant tumors in children (0-14 years) throughout Piedmont since 1967. The present paper is based on the records of the 2,970 children diagnosed during the period 1970-2001; survival rates are estimated up to June 30, 2004. Based on records from the Registrar Offices of the relevant towns of residence, 1,698 children were reported to be alive, 1,252 deceased, and 20 were of unknown vital status. Over the period 1970-2001, 5-year survival rates for all tumor types combined showed a statistically significant increasing trend (p<0.0001). For acute lymphocytic leukemia, the survival rate increased steadily from 24.7% (95% CI 15.0-34.3) in 1970-1974 to 87.8% (82.1-93.6) in 1995-1999. Five-year survival rates for central nervous system tumors increased from 32.8% (21.0-44.6) in 1970-1974 to 80.3% (72.6-88.0) in 1990-1994 and decreased thereafter. Age of less than 1 year at time of diagnosis was a favorable prognostic factor for neuroblastoma and ganglioneuroblastoma. The extent of disease at diagnosis was related to prognosis for neuroblastoma and ganglioneuroblastoma and other selected solid tumors. A white blood cell count greater than 50,000 x 10(6) cells/l was associated with decreased survival in children with acute lymphocytic leukemia and acute non-lymphocytic leukemia. We have found positive trends in survival for all tumor types in Piedmont, similar to those reported by other population-based cancer registries. Age, extent of disease, and white blood cell count at diagnosis are prognostic factors for selected cancer sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benign müllerian papilloma of the female reproductive tract is a rare childhood tumor that can easily be mistaken by those unfamiliar with the entity for botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma. Ultrastructural findings have been mentioned only in two individual case reports, and these both were issued many years ago. The aim of this update is to familiarize the reader with the clinical, light, and electron microscopic features associated with this distinctive entity, and thereby hopefully preclude the risk of making a serious diagnostic error. Two cases are illustrated, one very typical in its presentation and the other less so. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: The population-based Childhood Cancer Registry of Piedmont (CCRP) has collected data on incidence since 1967. The occurrence of early death (i.e. within 30 days of diagnosis) was investigated in 3006 cases of childhood cancer diagnosed during the period 1967-1998. The proportion of early deaths (178 of the 3006 cases) was analysed by period of diagnosis (three decennial periods), age group, major diagnostic group and hospital category, with univariate statistics and logistic regression. The proportion of children with cancer who died within 1 month of diagnosis was 10.8%, 5.3% and 1.8% for cases diagnosed during 1967-1978, 1979-1988 and 1989-1998, respectively. This trend may reflect earlier diagnosis, improved diagnosis, more effective therapy or more frequent referral to specialised centres. The risk factors for early death were: age <1 year and diffuse disease at diagnosis, diagnosis during 1967-1978, a diagnosis of acute non lymphocytic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, central nervous system tumour or hepatic tumour. Early death was not related to the sex of the child. Care in an extra-regional specialised centre was associated with lower risk of early death.Conclusion: No temporal changes in early mortality were found among children with acute non lymphocytic leukaemia diagnosed in the first, second or third decade of activity of the CCRP, the percentages of children dying within 1 month being 12.8%, 10.7% and 12.8%, respectively. This pattern clearly differed from the corresponding trend for acute lymphoid leukaemia (6.4%, 2.0%, 0.4%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: PurposePediatric tumors are generally managed with a multi-modality treatment program that includes surgery, chemotherapy, and teletherapy. The use of teletherapy in young children can result in significant long-term toxicity (especially retardation of growth of bones and organs). The use of brachytherapy is an attractive alternative because brachytherapy irradiates small volumes and can thus potentially minimize complications.: Methods and materialsThe brachytherapy techniques used are similar to those used in adults. Low-dose-rate brachytherapy with manually-afterloaded removable 192Ir is commonly used though it is associated with some radiation exposure hazards. Low energy radionuclides and remote afterloading technology have been used to reduce the radiation exposure hazards. Teletherapy is often added in the treatment of more extensive tumors, especially in older children.: ResultsBrachytherapy (as the sole radiation modality) to small volumes in conjunction with chemotherapy and surgery has produced good local control with growth preservation and acceptable late complications in selected patients with localized tumors.: ConclusionBrachytherapy increases local control with a decrease in the probability of late complications (especially altered bone and organ growth) in comparison to EBRT. Low energy radionuclides and remote afterloading technology (HDR, IOHDR, and PDR) have been used to extend treatment to infants and younger children while reducing the radiation exposure to patients, family, and medical personnel. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Several studies have reported a seasonal trend in the diagnosis of childhood cancer suggesting seasonal factors such as infection. The present study aimed to analyze the diagnosis pattern of childhood malignant diseases using public health data, and to compare this pattern with seasonal viral infection trends., Method: Using the open data source of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, we extracted data regarding all patients under 21 years of age and who had any cancer, aplastic anemia or myelodysplastic syndrome between September 2009 and December 2013. The positive detection rates of 11 viruses was collected from the surveillance data of Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and seasonality analysis were conducted with both data., Results: In total, 9085 patients were diagnosed with malignant disease during the study period; there were about 175 new cases per month on average. Monthly stacked time series by year showed an apparent seasonal variation with the highest monthly average in January as 236, and the lowest in September as 120. In winter, significantly more patients were diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, neuroblastoma, and Hodgkin's lymphoma than in other seasons. There was a temporal correlation with the diagnostic trends of several diseases and the prevalence of recent human parainfluenza virus., Conclusion: This study tentatively suggests that the diagnosis of childhood malignancy follows a seasonal trend in Korea, and has a possible correlation with viral prevalence in several diseases. Further long-term analysis of epidemiological data is needed to explore possible causality., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: It is known that the prognosis of childhood cancer is relatively good, however actual representative nationwide data on childhood cancer, particularly of survival rate, are rare. In this study we attempted to establish the overall survival rate of major childhood cancer., Materials and Methods: The primary source of data of childhood cancer under 15 years of age were the registry files of the Central Cancer Registry Report (Ministry of Health & Welfare) from 1993 to 1997. The above data was compared to death case data files of the same period obtained from the Korea National Statistical Office using the personal identification code. We calculated the 1, 3, and 5 year survival rates using the life table of SPSS and Kaplan-Meier method and compared the survival rate of disease according to prognostic factors., Results: A total of 6,720 cases of pediatric cancer from the Central Cancer Registry files were computerized and sorted by personal identification (ID) code to extract duplicated cases as well as cases with incomplete data. The final number of cases entered in this study was 4,983. 1) The number of confirmed death cases was 1,448 (29.1%). 2) The disease distribution showed that the most common pediatric cancer was leukemia (1,468/4,983, 29%), followed by brain tumors (503/4,983, 10%), lymphoma (315/4,983, 6%), Wilms tumor (165/4,983, 3%), etc. in order by number of patients. 3) The 5 year survival rate of disease was as follows: overall 62%, acute lymphocytic leukemia 61%, acute non-lymphocytic leukemia 32%, malignant lymphoma 72%, neuroblastoma 47%, medulloblastoma 51%, Astrocytoma 66%, Wilms tumor 83%, etc., Conclusion: We analyzed and report the 5 year survival rate of overall childhood cancer and of each of the twelve major childhood cancers from in Korea 1993 to 1997 to provide basic data on childhood cancer statistics.