Endothelial cell malignancies in infants, children and adolescents: Treatment results of three Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe (CWS) trials and one registry

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2020 Mar;67(3):e28095. doi: 10.1002/pbc.28095. Epub 2019 Dec 8.

Abstract

Background: Endothelial cell malignancies are extremely rare in childhood. New identification of genetic abnormalities (WWTR1:CAMTA1 translocation) helps to recognize potential therapeutic targets. Little is known about treatment and outcome of these patients.

Methods: Clinical course, treatment, and outcome in patients with endothelial cell malignancies treated within the Cooperative Weichteilsarkom Studiengruppe (CWS) trials CWS-91, -96, -2002P, and the Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Registry (SoTiSaR) were analyzed (1991-2019).

Results: Patients had angiosarcoma (AS) (n = 12), malignant epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) (n = 16), and kaposiform hemangioendothelioma (KHE) (n = 13). The median age was 5.39 years (range, 0.8-17.34); 33 patients had localized disease (LD), and 8 patients had metastatic disease. Therapy consisted of chemotherapy (CHT) (AS n = 8, EHE n = 9, KHE n = 5), interferon or new agent therapy (EHE n = 5, 2 KHE n = 2), microscopically or macroscopically complete resection (AS n = 3, EHE n = 6, KHE n = 3), and radiotherapy (AS n = 6, EHE n = 2, KHE n = 1). Two patients (KHE) had watch-and-wait strategy resulting in stable disease. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in AS (10/12; 83%), EHE (10/16; 63%), and KHE (5/13; 38%). The five-year EFS and OS for patients with AS was 64% (± 29 CI 95%) and 80% (± 25, CI 95%), with EHE 62% (± 24, CI 95%) and 78% (± 23, CI 95%), with KHE 33% (± 34, CI 95%) and 92% (± 15, CI 95%), respectively. Complete resection was a significant prognostic factor for AS, LD for EHE.

Conclusions: Endothelial cell malignancies in childhood have a fair outcome with multimodal treatment. New treatment options are needed for metastic disease.

Keywords: CWS Group; angiosarcoma; children; endothelial cell malignancies; epithelioid hemangioendothelioma; kaposiform hemangioendothelioma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hemangioendothelioma / pathology
  • Hemangioendothelioma / therapy*
  • Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid / pathology
  • Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid / therapy*
  • Hemangiosarcoma / pathology
  • Hemangiosarcoma / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome / pathology
  • Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome / therapy*
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / therapy*
  • Registries / statistics & numerical data*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sarcoma / pathology
  • Sarcoma / therapy*
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / pathology
  • Sarcoma, Kaposi / therapy*
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Supplementary concepts

  • Kaposiform Hemangioendothelioma