Background. Late psychosocial and neurocognitive effects are common in pediatric cancer survivors and may compromise long-term quality of life. While clinical risk factors are well studied, the influence of family, cultural, and socio-economic variables remains less explored. Methods. Between November 2022 and January 2023, 93 survivors of pediatric solid tumors (median age 16.2 years; median 52.5 months from diagnosis) completed a purpose-built 60-item parental questionnaire. Four outcome domains were assessed (psychological, neuropsychological, academic, social), alongside determinants across demographic, clinical, family, cultural, socio-economic, and premorbid areas. Associations were examined using Fisher’s exact test and non-parametric statistics. Results. Internalizing symptoms emerged or worsened in 52% of survivors, externalizing behaviors in 31%, and neuropsychological difficulties in 45%. Academic decline affected 32%, with 25% requiring an Individualized Education Plan. Social problems occurred in 29%, disproportionately among central nervous system (CNS) tumor survivors, who also showed greater loss of adaptive resources and rehabilitation needs. Lower parental education was significantly associated with externalizing problems (p = 0.039), while income, occupation, and residence were not. Premorbid psychological or scholastic issues strongly predicted post-treatment sequelae (all p < 0.01). Older paternal age reduced relational and scholastic difficulties, whereas larger sibling groups increased cognitive vulnerability. Conclusions. Psychosocial and neurocognitive late effects remain frequent in pediatric cancer survivorship, particularly after CNS tumors. Family educational level and premorbid vulnerabilities, rather than economic status, significantly influence outcomes. Tailored neuropsychological follow-up for CNS survivors and family-focused screening for others may optimize rehabilitation and long-term care.

Purpose Young patients with a brain tumour show neurocognitive alterations as both consequences of the tumour and of the treatments received. In this paper, we present the basal analysis of a prospective study of damage from radiation after focal radiation therapy (RT), correlating tumour localization, symptoms, neurological/endocrinological impairments, surgery/ies±chemotherapy, and cognitive assessments at the time of enrolment. Methods Sixty-six children eligible for focal RT underwent a neurocognitive assessment. The demographic, pathological and clinical variables with MRI morphological scans, where differenypt kind of damage scores were defined, were then analysed. Results The patients’ median age was 8 years; the most frequent tumour was ependymoma (41%), and the posterior fossa (29%) was the prevalent site. All but 2 children (with germ cell tumours), had undergone surgery and 32 sessions of chemotherapy before irradiation. Ad-hoc scores for neurological deficits and endocre alterations were created and structural abnormalities were scored in each cortical/subcortical region. Patients with posterior fossa ependymomas and infratentorial tumours showed the highest score of neurological damage while endocrine alterations were more serious in patients with craniopharyngioma and germ cell tumours of the sellar region and ventricular system. The median number of structural damaged areas was equal to 2 for each child. Neurological deficit scores were not associated with the presence of hydrocephalus and surgery/ies received, unlike endocrine deficits. Conclusion The analysis of baseline evaluations highlights damage existing prior to radiation and generated by multiple factors. In light of these findings, damage over time should be investigated by distinguishing multiple generating factors.

Background and Aims. Since the war in Ukraine which began on February 2022, many pediatric oncology centers have welcomed patients from Ukraine. To understand the needs of patients and families arriving at our hospital, an anonymous questionnaire investigated the families’ backgrounds, feelings and impressions about hospitality and care. Methods Twenty items investigated how patients had reached Italy, from whom they received help (logistically/economically); emotions regarding their statusas war refugees; knowledge, expectations, and opinions about Italy and Italians; the quality of medical care received and relationships with the healthcare staff; suggestions to improve assistance. Results Questionnaires were completed by 19/32 patient/parents in the time interval May-November 2022 in two different pediatric-oncology centers in the north of Italy. Most families had reached Italy (58%) and received medical care (95%) thanks to the help of Charities and the Italian Public Health Care System. Many of them (69%) declared themselves to be satisfied by the assistance. The Italian population appeared friendly (95%) and generous (58%). The improvement of their stay correlated with the positive outcome of their children (15%), the presence of the whole family (15%), the end of the war (10%), and the overcoming of language barriers (10%) Conclusions. Taking care of children from a different country suffering the traumatic experience of fleeing their country in addition to the equally traumatic condition of cancer disease, is a huge task. Our questionnaire aimed at obtaining a better understanding of families’ conditions, not at bridging the relational gap due to different culture and experiences.

Introduction. The H3K27M-mutant diffuse midline glioma (DMG) was first included in the WHO Classification of CNS (central nervous system) tumors in 2016, and confirmed in its fifth edition. The biological behavior and dismal prognosis of this tumor resemble DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas). Homogeneously-treated series are rarely reported. Methods. From 2016 onwards, we treated patients with DMG with radiotherapy and concomitant/adjuvant nimotuzumab/vinorelbine, plus re-irradiation at relapse, as already done for DIPG (DOI10.1007/s11060-014-1428-z). Results. We treated nine patients, seven females, median age at diagnosis of 13 years-old. Tumor sites were: thalamic in five cases, pontocerebellar in two, pineal in one, and paratrigonal with nodular/leptomeningeal dissemination in one. Three patients were biopsied, and six had partial tumor resections. Central review of the pathologists’ diagnoses was performed. The median time to local progression was 12.7 months, and the median overall survival was 17.8 months. Six patients died of tumor progression, one of cerebral bleeding whose tumor was progressing. Two were alive, one in continuous remission, the other after a relapse, at 38.6 and 46.3 months after diagnosis, respectively. Progression-free survival was 33.3% at one year. Overall survival was 88.9%, 33.3% and 22.2% at 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively. Conclusions. This is one of only a handful of reports on homogeneously-treated series. The results obtained are comparable with those seen in patients with DIPG. Given the phenotypically- and molecularly-defined setting of DMG and severe outcome in this orphan population, they should be treated and included in registries and protocols of DIPG.

During SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, oncologists manage patients at higher risk of having a severe course of this infection. This raises new questions about their correct management, as well as the difficulty of distinguishing tumor/treatments complications from those related to Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We report a case of an 11 year-old boy undergoing treatment for T cell lymphoblastic lymphoma who experienced a prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infection. Oncological therapy was continued without significant changes compared to the initially planned treatment. No relevant complications occurred. COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CP) was administered, resulting in a positive antibody titer after 24 days.

Introduction. Mutations of the APC (adenomatous polyposis coli) gene correlate mainly with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), but can occasionally be pathogenic for medulloblastoma (MBL) WNT subtype as well, the course of which has only recently been described. Methods. We retrospectively retrieved all patients with documented germline APC mutations and a centrally-reviewed diagnosis of MBL to examine the outcome of their MBL, late effects of its treatment, and further oncological events. Results. Between 2007-2016 we diagnosed and treated 6 patients, all with a pathogenic APC variant mutation, who all had MBL, classic histotype. None had metastatic disease. All patients were in complete remission a median 65 months after treatment with craniospinal irradiation at 23.4 Gy, plus a boost on the posterior fossa/tumor bed up to 54 Gy, followed by cisplatin/carboplatin, lomustine and vincristine for a maximum of 8 courses. Five of 6 diagnostic revised MRI were suggestive of the WNT molecular subgroup typical aspects. Four of 6 patients had a positive family history of FAP, while gastrointestinal symptoms prompted its identification in the other 2 cases. Four patients had developed other tumors (desmoid, MELTUMP, melanoma, pancreatoblastoma, thyroid Tir3) from 5 to 7 years after MBL. Discussion. Our data confirm a good prognosis for patients with MBL associated with FAP. Patients’ secondary tumors may or may not be related to their syndrome or treatment, but warrant adequate attention when planning shared guidelines for these patients.