Gianni Bisogno

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.

Phase II study of a protracted irinotecan schedule in children with refractory or recurrent soft tissue sarcoma

Irinotecan (CPT‐11) is a novel antineoplastic agent that takes effect by inhibiting topoisomerase I. The Italian Soft Tissue Sarcoma (STS) Committee performed a multiinstitutional Phase II study to evaluate its effect on STS.

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.

Soft tissue sarcoma as a second malignant neoplasm in the pediatric age group

Survivors of childhood malignancies have an increased risk of developing second malignant neoplasms (SMN) due to their prior treatment and/or genetic susceptibility. A small proportion of SMNs are soft tissue sarcomas (STS), whose prognosis is generally thought to be poor, though publications on such patients treatment and outcome is limited.

Hemangiopericytoma in pediatric ages: a report from the Italian and German Soft Tissue Sarcoma Cooperative Group.

Hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is very uncommon in childhood and comprises two different clinical entities, the adult type and the infantile type, occurring in the first year of age. We report on a series of 27 pediatric patients treated from 1978 to 1999 by the Italian and German Soft Tissue Sarcoma Cooperative Group.

Role of Surgery for Nonmetastatic Abdominal Rhabdomyosarcomas A Report from the Italian and German Soft Tissue Cooperative Groups Studies

In the current study, the authors aim to evaluate clinical features and treatment results observed in patients from the German and Italian studies who had nonmetastatic abdominal rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS).