DR. MATTHEW J. KRASIN, MD

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This study looked at the dental problems that can occur in children who survived cancer and received radiation therapy to their head or neck. Researchers reviewed 44 studies with over 7,000 participants and found that those who received higher radiation doses (averaging 50.4 Gy) experienced more dental issues, like missing teeth and smaller-than-normal teeth, over an average follow-up period of more than 8 years. Understanding these problems helps improve care for young cancer survivors by ensuring that their dental needs are addressed properly. Who this helps: This benefits childhood cancer survivors and their dental care providers.

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This study examined the effects of radiation therapy on the faces of children with head and neck cancer, focusing on how often facial deformation (FD) occurs after treatment. Researchers found that between 21% and 97% of children experienced FD after radiation, especially those treated at a younger age (under 5-7 years). The results underscore the urgent need for standardized methods to measure and report facial changes, which would help improve treatment planning and outcomes. Who this helps: This benefits doctors and patients undergoing treatment for head and neck cancers.

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This study looked at how well a special type of MRI called whole-body diffusion-weighted imaging (WB DWI) compares to traditional imaging methods, like PET/CT, for detecting cancerous lesions in children with bone and soft tissue sarcomas. They found that WB DWI agreed with conventional methods 91.5% of the time and was better at detecting malignant lesions, identifying 151 bone lesions compared to 60 found by PET/CT, as well as 59 lymph node sites compared to 28. This is important because it means WB DWI could provide more accurate staging for children with these cancers, potentially leading to better treatment choices. Who this helps: This helps pediatric cancer patients and their doctors by improving the accuracy of cancer staging.

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This study explored how using immersive videos during radiation therapy affects children aged 3 to 10. The researchers found that at least 50% of the 81 enrolled children could avoid anesthesia by using the video immersion method, making the treatment less stressful and potentially safer for them. This is important because it shows a way to improve the experience of young patients undergoing a usually daunting procedure, without the need for additional sedation. Who this helps: This benefits young patients undergoing radiation therapy.

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This study examined the use of a new AVATAR system, which uses video distractions, to help children aged 3 to 10 undergo radiation therapy without needing anesthesia. The results showed that 78% of the 81 participating children were able to complete treatment without anesthesia, avoiding an average of 20 treatment sessions each. This matters because it not only helps reduce the risk and stress associated with anesthesia but also improves the children's quality of life and decreases anxiety during treatment. Who this helps: This benefits pediatric patients and their families, as well as healthcare providers involved in their care.

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This study looked at the long-term effects of thoracic radiation treatment on survivors of Hodgkin lymphoma, focusing on their brain function and overall health. Researchers found that these survivors performed worse on tests measuring thinking and memory skills compared to healthy individuals, with specific declines noted in areas like visual processing speed (0.25 for survivors vs 0.64 for controls) and short-term recall (-0.24 for survivors vs 0.12 for controls). The study highlights a connection between health issues related to heart and lung function and cognitive problems, suggesting that improving overall health may boost brain function in these survivors. Who this helps: This helps Hodgkin lymphoma survivors and their healthcare providers.

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This study looked at a new treatment combining chemotherapy with an experimental drug called hu14.18K322A for children newly diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma, a serious cancer. The results showed that 66.7% of the children had a positive response after the first two treatment cycles, with tumor size decreasing by a median of 75%. After three years, 73.7% of the children remained cancer-free, and 86% were alive, highlighting the treatment's potential to improve outcomes significantly. Who this helps: This benefits children with high-risk neuroblastoma and their families, as well as the doctors treating them.

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This study looked at whether using a special type of CT scan (called dual-energy CT) after giving contrast dye could help in planning radiation treatment for children with abdominal tumors, eliminating the need for a separate non-contrast CT. Researchers found that using this single post-contrast CT could significantly reduce errors in dose calculations for proton therapy, improving accuracy by reducing errors to about 0.30% compared to 3.67% with conventional scans. This is important because it streamlines the treatment process, cuts down on patient exposure to radiation, and makes it easier for doctors to plan effective therapies. Who this helps: Patients receiving radiation therapy, especially children with tumors.

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Researchers studied kidney function in adult survivors of childhood cancer to see how common kidney problems might be after treatment. They found that about 2.1% of the 2,753 survivors had serious kidney disease, which could be linked to factors like older age, high blood pressure, and certain chemotherapy drugs. These findings are important because they can help improve screening and treatment plans for childhood cancer survivors to better protect their kidney health. Who this helps: This helps childhood cancer survivors and their doctors.

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This study looked at a type of cancer treatment called whole lung irradiation (WLI) for children with lung metastases. The researchers compared a newer method, called intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT), with traditional methods and found that IMPT delivered lower radiation doses to the heart and breasts while still effectively treating the lungs. Specifically, the mean dose to the heart was reduced by about 37% with IMPT compared to conventional methods, which is significant because it can help prevent damage to these organs during treatment. Who this helps: This benefits pediatric patients undergoing lung cancer treatment.

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This study looked at how certain imaging factors, called Image-Defined Risk Factors (IDRFs), can help doctors decide whether high-risk neuroblastoma patients need radiation therapy after surgery. Among 76 patients, those who had no IDRFs and removed more than 90% of the tumor had a perfect 3-year survival without local recurrence, while those with at least one IDRF or incomplete surgeries had lower survival rates of 77.8% and 14.4%, respectively. This is important because if these findings hold true, doctors might be able to safely reduce radiation treatment for some patients, lowering their exposure to unnecessary side effects. Who this helps: This helps high-risk neuroblastoma patients and their doctors.

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This study looked at how to better identify cancerous tissues in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma and Ewing sarcoma using a method called FDG-PET radiomics. Researchers analyzed scans from 38 patients and found that their new tissue classifier was able to accurately distinguish normal tissues from tumors 90% of the time, with perfect accuracy for some organs, like the brain and left kidney. This is important because it helps doctors more accurately identify tumors, allowing for better diagnosis and treatment planning. Who this helps: This benefits patients with Hodgkin lymphoma and Ewing sarcoma, as well as their doctors.

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This study reviewed the progress made in radiation therapy for childhood cancer by the Children's Oncology Group (COG) over the past 15 years. Researchers found that advancements in treatment techniques have led to better cure rates and fewer side effects for young patients. These improvements mean that children diagnosed with cancer have a higher chance of recovery and can avoid some of the long-term health issues linked to older treatment methods. Who this helps: This benefits children with cancer and their families.

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This study compared two imaging tests, C-methionine PET/CT and F-FDG PET/CT, to see which one is better for detecting lymphoma in children and young adults. The researchers looked at 18 patients and found that both tests had similar results in most areas, but there were three areas where they differed: Waldeyer's ring, paraaortic region, and liver. C-methionine was better at showing where lymphoma was active in general, but its usefulness was limited in the abdomen because it also lit up normal organs like the pancreas and liver. Who this helps: This helps doctors better understand how to monitor and treat young patients with lymphoma.

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The St. Jude Cancer Education for Children Program was designed to teach 4th-grade students about cancer and healthy habits. The study involved 481 students from seven schools, and it found that their knowledge about cells, cancer, and healthy living improved after the program. This is important because educating children early can help them adopt healthier habits that may reduce cancer risk as they grow up. Who this helps: This helps children and their families by promoting cancer awareness and healthy living.

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This study looked at the heart health of women who survived childhood cancer and how it relates to their pregnancies. Out of 847 female survivors, only 3 (0.3%) experienced heart problems specifically linked to pregnancy, while 40 others developed heart issues not associated with pregnancy. It's important because it shows that most female childhood cancer survivors do not face heart complications during or after childbirth, but those who received certain heart-risky treatments should still be closely monitored. Who this helps: This helps female cancer survivors and their doctors in managing pregnancy risks.

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This study examined how children with cancer who have a blockage in the inferior vena cava due to tumors respond to different treatments. The researchers looked at 15 patients and found that 53% had their inferior vena cava open after treatment, while many others still had some blockage. Although complications during and after surgery were noted in some patients, most did not experience long-term health issues, indicating that while treating these blockages can be difficult, it may not lead to serious ongoing problems. Who this helps: This helps children with malignant abdominal tumors and their doctors by providing insights into treatment outcomes.

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This study looked at how to treat pediatric desmoid tumors (PDTs) in children over 12 years at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. They analyzed the results from 39 patients, discovering that while 97% were free of the disease one year after surgery, that number dropped to 73% after five years. They found that older patients and larger tumors were more likely to come back, but the way the tumor was removed didn’t impact recurrence rates. Who this helps: This research benefits doctors and patients with pediatric desmoid tumors by providing insights on surgical treatment and outcomes.

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This study looked at a treatment called radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for children and young adults with solid tumors that came back after previous treatment. Out of 16 patients treated, 29% had tumors that remained successfully destroyed after the procedure, although many experienced moderate pain and some had complications like myoglobinuria, which is an issue with muscle breakdown that didn’t damage their kidneys. These findings matter because they provide information on the safety and effectiveness of a potential new option for managing recurring tumors in young patients. Who this helps: This helps children and young adults with recurrent solid tumors.

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This study looked at how well amifostine can protect children with average-risk medulloblastoma from hearing loss caused by the chemotherapy drug cisplatin. Researchers found that only 14.5% of children treated with amifostine developed severe hearing issues requiring hearing aids, compared to 37.1% of those who didn’t receive amifostine. This matters because it means that amifostine can significantly reduce the risk of serious hearing damage in these young patients undergoing intensive cancer treatment. Who this helps: This helps children with average-risk medulloblastoma and their families.

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This research focused on desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT), a rare and aggressive cancer found mainly in the abdomen of children. Out of 11 patients studied, only 3 are alive after 23 months to 10 years, as many did not respond well to treatment, with 6 dying from the disease and 2 from treatment side effects. The study highlights the urgent need for better treatment options, especially for patients who do not achieve complete remission after initial therapy. Who this helps: This research helps doctors treating pediatric cancer patients and their families.

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This study looked at how often and how seriously the heart's protective lining, called the pericardium, is affected in children with Hodgkin lymphoma at the time of diagnosis. Out of 273 patients, 5% had pericardial involvement, and those patients often had larger tumors. Despite some needing extra procedures to remove fluid buildup, all the affected patients are still alive and healthy years later, showing that most heart-related issues can improve with cancer treatment. Who this helps: This helps young lymphoma patients and their doctors better understand heart-related concerns during treatment.

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This study looked at the treatment outcomes for 110 children and teenagers with low-risk Hodgkin's disease who received a specific type of chemotherapy called VAMP and low-dose radiation. After an average follow-up of about 9.6 years, the survival rates were impressively high, with 99.1% alive after 5 years and 96.1% after 10 years. Most patients experienced manageable side effects, mainly slight thyroid issues, and the approach used helps ensure that these young patients are likely to have normal fertility and minimal risk of future cancers. Who this helps: This benefits children with low-risk Hodgkin's disease and their families, as well as the doctors treating them.

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This study looked at children with atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (ATRT) to see how different treatments affected their survival. Researchers found that children aged 3 years and older had a much better chance of surviving—78% event-free and 89% overall—when treated with radiation and high-dose chemotherapy compared to younger patients, who had only an 11% event-free and 17% overall survival rate. This matters because it highlights the importance of effective treatment strategies for older children, improving their chances of recovery. Who this helps: This helps children with ATRT, especially those over 3 years old, and their families.

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This study investigated a treatment approach for children with advanced and unfavorable Hodgkin's disease that involved using two types of chemotherapy, VAMP and COP, followed by targeted radiation therapy based on how well the cancer responded to the initial treatment. Out of 159 children treated, the study found a 92.7% survival rate, but only 75.6% had no further problems five years later, indicating that the treatment wasn't as effective as hoped for this group. This matters because it highlights the need for better treatment strategies for young patients with more serious forms of this cancer. Who this helps: Patients with advanced Hodgkin's disease and their healthcare providers.

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Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital examined the survival rates of children with recurrent Wilms tumor, a type of kidney cancer, and found that survival has improved significantly compared to the past. For patients treated after 1984, about 64% survived five years after their cancer returned, compared to just about 21% for those treated before 1984. This improvement is important because it shows that new treatments have made a big difference in outcomes for these patients, especially for those with less aggressive forms of the tumor. Who this helps: This helps children with recurrent Wilms tumor and their families by providing hope for better treatment outcomes.

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This study focused on a new method for accurately positioning patients with brain tumors during radiation therapy, specifically two types called SRT and IMRT. Researchers created a special frame that keeps the patient still and allows for precise imaging, making the treatment planning more effective. By using this method, they found that it improved the accuracy of treatment plans and allowed doctors to select the best option for each patient. Who this helps: This helps patients with brain tumors by providing more precise radiation therapy, leading to better treatment outcomes.

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This study aimed to improve a method for providing a type of radiation therapy called intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) by reducing uneven doses that can occur during treatment. Researchers found that by adjusting the treatment plans and shifting certain areas by about 5 mm, they could significantly decrease the uneven dose levels. For instance, when there was a 1 mm error in the positioning of the patient, the unevenness dropped from 25% to 12%, making the treatment more effective. Who this helps: This helps patients receiving radiation therapy by improving the consistency and effectiveness of their treatment.

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This study examined how well a common radiation treatment technique for breast cancer delivers the necessary radiation to the breast and nearby lymph nodes. Out of 25 women treated, 16 received enough radiation to cover most of their breast, but only one patient got sufficient radiation to the first level of lymph nodes, while none got adequate treatment for the deeper lymph nodes. This is important because effective treatment of the lymph nodes is crucial for preventing cancer spread, so improvements in treatment techniques are needed if lymph node coverage is a goal. Who this helps: Patients with breast cancer needing radiation therapy.