Preresection chemotherapy improves survival for children with Askin tumors.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether patients with Askin tumor treated with aggressive neoadjuvant chemotherapy have a better clinical outcome.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
Pediatric referral center.


METHODS
All children diagnosed with malignant small-cell tumors of the chest wall (Askin tumor) and treated from 1975 to September 1987 (phase 1, n = 6) and from September 1987 to the present (phase 2, n = 9).


METHODS
Survival as a function of extent of disease and response to therapy as measured by tumor volume, survival, and recurrence.


RESULTS
All phase 2 patients had significant reduction of tumor volume and improved survival by Kaplan-Meier estimates compared with phase 1 patients. No phase 1 patients are still alive.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with Askin tumor treated with aggressive preresection chemotherapy have smaller tumors to resect and improved survival.
Sawin
R S
RS
Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital and Medical Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, USA.
Conrad
E U
EU
Park
J R
JR
Waldhausen
J H
JH
D000293:Adolescent; D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003609:Dactinomycin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018228:Sarcoma, Small Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D000903:Antibiotics, Antineoplastic; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D003609:Dactinomycin; D014750:Vincristine; D004317:Doxorubicin; D003520:Cyclophosphamide