Andrea Ferrari

Synovial sarcoma: a retrospective analysis of 271 patients of all ages treated at a single institution.

The optimal treatment strategy for synovial sarcoma (SS) is subject to debate, and different strategies have been used for pediatric and adult patients. The current retrospective analysis examined a large group of patients of all ages who were treated at a single institution over a 30‐year period.

Low-dose chemotherapy with methotrexate and vinblastine for patients with advanced aggressive fibromatosis.

This Phase II study was undertaken to assess the activity of methotrexate plus vinblastine in the treatment of patients with inoperable aggressive fibromatosis (AF) and to observe the evolution of the disease after such low‐dose chemotherapy.

Undifferentiated sarcoma of the liver in childhood: a curable disease.

Undifferentiated (embryonal) sarcoma of the liver (UESL) is a rare childhood hepatic tumor, and it is generally considered an aggressive neoplasm with an unfavorable prognosis.

Clear cell sarcoma of tendons and aponeuroses in pediatric patients: a report from the Italian and German Soft Tissue Sarcoma Cooperative Group.

Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) of tendons and aponeuroses is extremely rare in childhood and little information is available on its clinical management. Originally believed to be a type of melanoma of soft tissue origin, CCS is now considered a distinct clinicopathologic entity that behaves like a high‐grade soft tissue sarcoma. We report on a series of 28 pediatric patients treated from 1980 to 2000 by the Soft Tissue Sarcoma Italian Cooperative Group and the German Cooperative Group.

Vinorelbine and low-dose cyclophosphamide in the treatment of pediatric sarcomas: Pilot study for the upcoming European rhabdomyosarcoma protocol

Following their previous report on the activity of vinorelbine in the treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma, the authors report the results of a pilot study aimed at defining the optimal dose of vinorelbine when this agent is used in conjunction with continuous, orally administered low‐dose cyclophosphamide to treat patients with refractory or recurrent sarcoma. It is hoped that the combination of vinorelbine and low‐dose cyclophosphamide can be used as a maintenance regimen in an upcoming European trial involving high‐risk patients with rhabdomyosarcoma.

Epithelioid sarcoma in children and adolescents: a report from the Italian Soft Tissue Sarcoma Committee.

Epithelioid sarcoma (ES) is an uncommon malignant soft tissue tumor. To the authors knowledge, little information is available to date concerning its clinical features and management in children and adolescents, particularly with regard to the recently described proximal‐type variant. The current study concerns 30 patients age < 18 years who were enrolled in the Italian Soft Tissue Sarcoma Committee protocols.

Rhabdomyosarcoma in infants younger than one year old: a report from the Italian Cooperative Group

The management of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) in patients age < 1 year is particularly problematic and requires a tailored therapeutic approach. We report on the Italian Cooperative Groups 20‐year study of 50 children with RMS who were age < 1 year at diagnosis.

Adult Wilms' tumor: A monoinstitutional experience and a review of the literature

The authors reviewed their institutional experience regarding adult patients with Wilms tumor (WT) to assess their clinical characteristics and compliance with respect to childrens treatment guidelines.

The IVADo regimen-a pilot study with ifosfamide, vincristine, actinomycin d, and doxorubicin in children with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma : A pilot study on behalf of the european pediatric soft tissue sarcoma study group

The role of doxorubicin (Doxo) as part of multidrug regimens used to treat children with soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is controversial. To evaluate the feasibility of combining Doxo with the well established ifosfamide, vincristine, and actinomycin D (IVA) regimen, the Italian STS Committee performed a pilot study on a series of children with metastatic STS.

Outcomes and prognostic factors after recurrence in children and adolescents with nonmetastatic rhabdomyosarcoma

Although > 90% of children with nonmetastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) achieve complete remission with current treatment, up to one‐third of them experience a recurrence. Survival rates are not always poor in patients who develop recurrences; thus, prognostic factors are needed to tailor salvage treatment.