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Context: The occurrence of second malignancies is not rare in children treated for primary tumors. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and the outcomes of second malignancies in children and adolescents from a large tertiary pediatric hematology-oncology center. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was performed looking into the characteristics and outcomes of second malignant neoplasms in children and adolescents treated for primary malignancies in a single center over a 15-year period. Results: Among 270 children and adolescents treated for hematological malignancies and solid tumors from 2000 to 2015, five cases of second malignancy were diagnosed including cancer of the parotid gland, renal cell carcinoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, thyroid carcinoma, and transitional liver cell carcinoma in patients previously treated for acute myeloid leukemia, glioblastoma multiforme, B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, and medulloblastoma, respectively. Primary malignancies were treated with chemotherapy in all cases and four out of five patients had also received radiotherapy. Mean age at diagnosis of second malignancy was 10 years and 4 months. Overall survival after diagnosis of second malignancy was 80% at 12 months and 75% at 5 years. Conclusions: Close surveillance and long-term follow-up are mandatory for the identification of late effects in children treated for malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder with a variable clinical course. Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out of ITP patients presenting to a pediatric hematology-oncology department during a period of 20 years, with a focus on treatment and outcome. Results: One hundred and twenty-four cases were recorded (mean patient age, 8.4 years). Forty-nine children (39.5%) had platelet counts <10 000/µL at diagnosis. No episode of severe bleeding was observed. Peak incidence was observed during spring and summer. Respiratory infections proceeded in 58% of cases. Treatment consisted of i.v. immunoglobulin (IVIG) in 93 children at four dosing schedules. Sixteen children received corticosteroids, 10 children received anti-D immunoglobulin and 14 received no treatment. Recovery was observed in 67% of children on IVIG and in 50% on anti-D globulin. Eight patients did not respond initially and received corticosteroids. Three children with refractory thrombocytopenia received anti-CD20 (rituximab). Fourteen children (11%) had persistent/chronic disease. In 10 of them recovery was observed in 13 months-8 years. Splenectomy was performed in six children with resistant/chronic disease. Conclusion: ITP has a benign course in the majority of cases. Anti-D globulin can effectively be used as an alternative first-line treatment. Rituximab can successfully be used in refractory cases, while splenectomy has currently limited indications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the differentiation and classification of acute leukemia are based upon cytochemical features as well as immunologic, cytogenetic, and molecular characteristics, in many cases the morphological distinction of normal lymphocytes from lymphoblasts of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is difficult using light microscopy. In this study the distinction between normal lymphocytes and lymphoblasts of childhood ALL is proposed using their spectral characteristics. The method has been based upon the analysis and classification of optical absorption characteristics of the bone marrow cells. Spectral microscopy system is capable of capturing a great number of narrow-band images, in the wide spectral range of the optical spectrum. The analysis showed statistically significant difference (P<0.0001) between normal lymphocytes and lymphoblasts as far as it concerns the detection, identification and mapping of their spectral absorption characteristics.Our results suggest the potential of spectral imaging as a new method for the distinction of lymphocytes from lymphoblasts in cases that with the light microscope, the morphologic differences are not visible in the bone marrow smears at diagnosis or the follow up of the children with ALL. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We investigated the characteristics of cord blood (CD) CD133+ and CD34+ cells, by flow cytometry, clonogenic assays and assessment of the replating ability (area under the curve (AUC)) following 7-day liquid culture in the presence of early acting growth factors and either thrombopoietin (TPO) or erythropoietin (EPO). The CD34+ population showed a more effective proliferation in all parameters tested and TPO proved to be more effective than EPO. On the contrary, the CD133+ cell fraction retained and expanded more immature elements in a modest but consistent manner with either TPO or EPO. We conclude that CD133+ and CD34+ expanded cord blood cells could potentially be used in combination to overcome the shortcomings of cord blood transplantation in older children and adults. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]