[Massive chemotherapy followed by bone marrow graft in pediatric oncology: arguments against]

Abstract

The outcome of most paediatric malignancies has been improved through dose escalation. Megatherapy followed by bone marrow rescue remains an experimental approach requiring appropriate comparison with the newer forms of chemotherapy. Bone marrow transplantation registries provide only very general information due to the marked heterogeneity of the data based on single arm studies. Randomised studies in poor prognosis tumors and advanced malignancies are still required.