Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors in children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Oncology
• Surgical Pathology
• Tumor Biology

Background:

• Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMFT) is an uncommon pediatric neoplasm.
• IMFTs present with diverse locations, posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment outcomes, and prognostic factors of pediatric IMFT.
• To establish guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance of IMFT in children.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of pediatric patients (≤18 years) diagnosed with IMFT between 1993 and 2014.
• Analysis of tumor location, treatment modalities, recurrence rates, and survival data.
• Statistical comparison of outcomes based on margin status, recurrence, and treatment interventions.

Main Results:

• Thirty-two pediatric patients were identified with IMFT, with variable tumor locations.
• Positive microscopic margins after resection were significantly associated with recurrence (p=0.04).
• Recurrence correlated with increased mortality (p=0.01) and shorter time to resection.

Conclusions:

• Complete surgical excision is critical for achieving cure in pediatric IMFT.
• Adjuvant chemotherapy and corticosteroid use were more prevalent in non-survivors.
• Guidelines for IMFT management in children are proposed based on this cohort analysis.