To create and validate nomograms for the personalized prediction of survival in octogenarians with newly diagnosed nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with sole brain metastases (BMs).

Random forests (RF) were applied to identify independent prognostic factors for building nomogram models. The predictive accuracy of the model was evaluated based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, C-index, and calibration plots.

The area under the curve (AUC) values for overall survival at 6, 12, and 18 months in the validation cohort were 0.837, 0.867, and 0.849, respectively; the AUC values for cancer-specific survival prediction were 0.819, 0.835, and 0.818, respectively. The calibration curves visualized the accuracy of the model.

The new nomograms have good predictive power for survival among octogenarians with sole BMs related to NSCLC.

To evaluate the clinical results of repairing skull defects with biomimetic bone (nano-hap/collagen composites, NHACs) in children.

Thirteen children with skull defects were treated with NHACs in our hospital. The NHACs molded with the help of a 3D printer were used in the operations.

All 13 operations were successful, and patients recovered without infection. Only one patient suffered from subcutaneous hydrops post-operation. The implanted NHACs remained fixed well after 1 year, and their CT HU values raised gradually. Skull shapes of children developed normally. Recovery of neurological and cognitive function was significant.

NHAC, chosen to repair skull defects in children, can coexist with normal skull and reduce the negative effects on growth and development. NHAC could be a good choice for children with skull defects.

The authors report an extremely unusual presentation and management of a children pineal mixed germ cell tumor mainly composed of immature teratoma, aiming to summarize main theraptic points by literature review.

A cystic lesion located in the rear of third ventricle in a child was detected 3 years ago with no other therapy performed except for a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. During the following 3 years, intermitted regular brain MRI demonstrated no evidence of lesion aggrandizement. However from 20 days before admission to our institute the patient began to present acutely with exacerbating clinical symptoms meanwhile brain MRI showed signs of abrupt revulsions of initial lesion without any incentive cause. Neurological examination revealed a significant rising of serum tumor marker level. Then surgical resection was performed immediately after admission which was followed by correlative two-course chemotherapy.

Postoperative brain MRI demonstrated totally removing of the lesion in rear of third ventricle. Serum tumor marker level decreased remarkably after surgery and declined to normal level after two-course chemotherapy. No obvious neurological deficit occurred except for short-term memory difficulty which gradually recovered within two weeks. Soon after the second course chemotherapy the patient was currently asymptomatic and returned to school.

(1) To ensure definitive diagnosis and proper therapecutic protocols benefit from grasping clinical features of mixed germ cell tumor. (2) Overall preoperative investigation including serum tumor marker level is as critical as neurological imaging examination. (3) Surgical excision is confirmed to be the key modality of treatment. With the regarding of mixed germ cell tumor, never highlight total resection too much. (4) Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is recommended as further intensive treatment to improve the prognosis of mix germ cell tumor.

Adult medulloblastoma is a rare tumor, and few retrospective studies on medulloblastoma have been published to date. A standard treatment regimen has not yet been established. Accordingly, this study was designed to determine the treatment outcomes and prognostic factors for patients with adult medulloblastoma.

We retrospectively reviewed all cases of adult medulloblastoma at the Beijing Tiantan Hospital between 2004 and 2007. There were 33 patients in total. Tumor removal followed by radiotherapy was performed in all patients. Five patients received maintenance chemotherapy after radiotherapy. Statistical analysis was performed using the log-rank test, Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox regression analysis.

The median follow-up period was 73 months. The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 45.5% ± 8.7% and 51.5% ± 8.7%, respectively. Recurrence or progression was observed in 21 patients, and 14 patients were still alive. Tumor location at the midline with infiltration to the floor of the fourth ventricle was associated with the worst PFS and OS (P = 0.032). Hemispheric desmoplastic/nodular medulloblastomas (DNMBs) were associated with a better outcome than midline DNMB. The average-risk group tended to have a better 5-year PFS rate than the high-risk group (P = 0.065).

Tumor location is an important prognostic marker for adulthood MB. We propose a molecular and clinical staging system should be established for adulthood MB. Further prospective clinical trials should be performed to draw a conclusion.