title: Rhabdomyosarcoma of the head and neck in children.
abstract: Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in infants and children, with the head and neck being the most frequent site of involvement. Treatment for this neoplasm has undergone many changes, with a much improved prognosis using a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. This retrospective analysis presents the management and outcome of 60 children (aged 3 months to 18 years) with rhabdomyosarcoma of the head and neck evaluated at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (Pa) between 1970 and 1987. The overall death rate for all head and neck sites decreased from 50% in 1970 to 1979 to 23% in 1980 to 1987, reflecting the improved management protocol.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA 19104.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Tom
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Womer
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Handler
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Wetmore
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Potsic
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015143:Philadelphia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D015996:Survival Rate