title: Questionable role of CNS radioprophylaxis in the therapeutic management of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma with meningeal extension.
abstract: A series of 15 consecutive children with head and neck nonorbital rhabdomyosarcoma (RMSA) with meningeal extension were prospectively treated with chemotherapy consisting of Adriamycin (doxorubicin; Adria Laboratory, Columbus, OH) (ADM), vincristine (VCR), cyclophosphamide (CPM), and dactinomycin (DACT) followed by radiotherapy (60 Gy) to the primary tumor volume, along with intrathecal methotrexate (IT MTX). Thirteen of 15 responded to preradiation chemotherapy. Four of 13 relapsed. Relapse occurred at the level of the primary tumor in three of four. The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 59%, similar to that achieved in a previous series treated with a comparable therapeutic approach that also included whole-brain radiotherapy as a prophylaxis of possible occult meningeal seeding. It is concluded that CNS prophylaxis with radiotherapy is questionable in the management of childhood RMSA with meningeal extension.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gasparini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Gianni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Massimino
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gandola
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fossati-Bellani
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008577:Meningeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary; D009423:Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary; D015996:Survival Rate