CONSERVATIVE SURGERY PLUS ADJUVANT THERAPY FOR VULVOVAGINAL RHABDOMYOSARCOMA, DIETHYLSTILBESTROL CLEAR CELL ADENOCARCINOMA OF THE VAGINA, AND UNILATERAL GERM CELL TUMORS OF THE OVARY

Vaginal tumors in childhood: the experience of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the clinical presentation, histology, treatment, and outcomes of children with vaginal tumors who were treated at a single institution.

METHODS

A retrospective review of medical records and pathologic materials of all children with vaginal tumors treated at St Jude Children's Research Hospital between 1970 and 2009 was conducted.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients (median age, 3.7 years; range, 0.1-15 years) were identified. Three different histologies were found: rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS; n = 13), germ cell tumor (n = 3), and clear cell adenocarcinoma (n = 2). Bleeding or blood-tinged discharge was the most common clinical presentation (66%), followed by a protruding mass (39%). Vaginal and uterine salvage was 44.4% (8 of 18 patients). Thirteen patients (72.2%) remain disease-free, with a median follow-up of 23.2 years (range, 2-39 years). Four patients (22.2%) died of disease progression (1 RMS, 2 germ cell tumor, and 1 clear cell adenocarcinoma), and 1 patient with RMS died of colon cancer 12 years after the primary diagnosis had been made.

CONCLUSIONS

Vaginal tumors are extremely rare in the pediatric population. Early recognition of symptoms like bleeding and a protruding vaginal mass may prevent morbidity and mortality. Our findings confirm the good prognosis of vaginal RMS.

Mesenchymal Tumors of the Female Genital Tract: Treatment

Mesenchymal tumors of the female genital tract include various benign and malignant neoplasms. Mesenchymal tumors may arise from the stroma or associated elements of the organ of origin, such as connective tissue, vascular or neural structures, or others. Malignant mesenchymal tumors of the female genital tract represent a rare group of gynecologic cancers. They are generally aggressive tumors, with a propensity for local and distant recurrence. The mainstay of treatment usually involves surgical excision of the primary tumor. Malignant mesenchymal tumors of the female genital tract are generally refractory to systemic chemotherapy and radiation therapy. This review highlights the treatment options for the most common types of mesenchymal tumors of the female genital tract.

Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation: a review

The review covers current options for ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation and provides a systematic review of the existing literature from the last 10 years, taking into account all previously published reviews on the subject. The different cryopreservation options available for fertility preservation in cancer patients are embryo cryopreservation, oocyte cryopreservation and ovarian tissue cryopreservation. The choice depends on various parameters: the type and timing of chemotherapy, the type of cancer, the patient's age and the partner status. The different options and their results are discussed, as well as their putative indications and efficacy. The review concludes that advances in reproductive technology have made fertility preservation techniques a real possibility for patients whose gonadal function is threatened by premature menopause, or by treatments such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy or surgical castration.

Pediatric germ cell tumors

Malignant germ cell tumors are relatively uncommon, accounting for approximately 3% of all childhood malignancies. Occurring with an incidence of approximately 4 per million among children less than 15 years of age, they account for approximately 225 new cases per year in the United States. Germ cell tumors occur in both gonadal and extragonadal sites, with extragonadal and testicular tumors predominating in children less than 3 years of age and with the gonads being the main location of tumors during and after puberty. They occur more frequently in girls than boys. Germ cell tumors are interesting for several reasons: (1) abnormal migration of primordial germ cells account for many of the childhood germ cell tumors; (2) markers exist to allow evaluation of the extent of resection and the development of recurrence for many of the tumors; and (3) the introduction of platinum-based chemotherapy has markedly improved the survival rate for germ cell tumors, as well as the salvage rate for recurrent or metastatic disease.

Effects of cancer on the sexuality and fertility of women

As more Americans become cancer survivors, sexuality and fertility have become more paramount issues in cancer care. Both the disease and the treatments used can produce both short-term and long-term effects that can confound sexual expression and fertility. The identification of these sequelae in survivors of cancer has led to the exploration of methods to predict, prevent, or minimize their occurrence. This article addresses the effects of cancer and cancer care in those undergoing treatment and surviving the array of diseases known as cancer.