A multimodal strategy based on surgery, radiotherapy, ICE regimen and high dose chemotherapy in atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumours: a single institution experience

Purpose Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumour is a rare and aggressive childhood tumour. The outcome of a series treated with the same multimodal strategy was reported. Patients The patients were treated with surgery, 2 courses of ifosfamide/carboplatin/etoposide(ICE), 2 courses of cyclophosphamide/etoposide/carboplatino/thiotepa (CECAT) or 2 other ICE courses, high dose chemotherapy (HDC) and radiotherapy. Results Eight patients underwent primary surgery achieving a complete removal in 3. Progressive disease (PD) occurred in 2/8 patients during ICE courses and in 3/4 during CECAT courses. After 4 courses 5 patients presented a PD. HDC was performed in 3 patients followed by local radiotherapy. The Kaplan Meier OS and EFS probability at 5 years are, respectively, 50% (CI 11–80%) and 33% (CI 6–66%). Conclusion A strategy based on surgery, including a second surgical look, and on radiotherapy appears the best option. ICE regimen and HDC correlate with good prognosis in some patients but this approach needs further evaluation.