Rare non-Wilms' tumors in children

We report our institutional experience of the management of 2 cases of rare non-Wilms' tumors; a rhabdoid tumor in a 17-month old boy and a clear cell sarcoma in a 5-year old girl. The two patients were treated with ifosfamide/carboplatin/etoposide (ICE) alternating with vincristine/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (VDC) and cyclophosphamide/etoposide (CE) alternating with vincristine/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide (VDC) and radiotherapy, respectively. Both patients showed full response with no significant adverse events. At 2-year follow up, they are disease and relapse free. Although contemporary treatment regimens are very promising, multicenter collaborative studies are needed in order to define a standard treatment for non-Wilms' tumors

Long-term survivors of childhood cancer: Cure and care. The Erice Statement

The number of individuals who have successfully completed treatment for a cancer diagnosed during childhood and are entering adulthood has been increasing. Members of the International Berlin-Frankfurt-Munster Early and Late Toxicity Educational Committee (ELTEC) invited 45 paediatric cancer experts - representing oncologists, psychologists, nurses, epidemiologists, parents, and survivors - from 13 European countries, with five additional experts from North America, to Erice, Sicily, on October 27-29, 2006, to discuss the circumstances in which the word "cure" should be used when speaking about children with cancer, and when and why continuing follow-up and care may be required. The objective of the gathering was to generate from the participants' personal and professional experiences an overview statement of the group's philosophy of cure and care of survivors of childhood cancer. The 10 points reflect what the group considers essential for the survivors' cure and car