Prognostic role of tumor size in childhood cancer. (December 2009)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Favini, Francesca; Sultan, Iyad; Meazza, Cristina; Casanova, Michela; Ferrari, Andrea
• Is Part Of: Future oncology. Volume 5:Number 10(2009)
• Page Start: 1605
• Page End: 1613
• Publication Date: 2009-12
• Subjects: pediatric cancer -- prognostic factors -- rhabdomyosarcoma -- risk-adapted treatment -- risk stratification -- soft-tissue sarcoma -- survival -- tumor size; Oncology -- Periodicals; 616.99405
• DOI: 10.2217/fon.09.124
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-6694

Abstract

Identifying prognostic factors that influence outcome is a key point in pediatric oncology, as it enables risk stratification and helps us to fine-tune risk-adapted treatments, thereby hopefully improving the chances of survival for high-risk patients, and minimizing the burden of treatment for those whose outlook is good. Along with other clinical and biological variables, tumor size at onset has been identified as a crucial variable in several pediatric malignancies, and in soft-tissue sarcomas in particular. This review provides a critical reappraisal of the prognostic role of tumor size in pediatric soft-tissue sarcomas.