title: Rhabdomyosarcoma in childhood: analysis of survival in 98 cases.
abstract: Ninety-eight infants and children with rhabdomyosarcoma were analyzed for age, stage, site, and therapy as they relate to survival. Age and sex were not factors. Survival was 91% (10/11) for Stage I, 86% (13/15) for Stage II, 35% (12/34) for Stage III, and 5.2% (2/38) for Stage IV. Overall survival was 37% (37/98); however, 75% had advanced disease at diagnosis. Primary tumor site was genitourinary (GU) (31), extremity (17), head-neck (14), trunk (14), orbit (8), paratesticular (4), retroperitoneal (3), paraspinal (3), buttocks (3), and perianal (1). Survival was favorable in orbital, paratesticular, and (GU) sites. Survival was 20% (9/45) before and 52% (28/53) after chemotherapy and irradiation. The only survivors had embryonal cell histology. Tumor stage and site are important prognostic indicators. Chemotherapy improves survival in Stage I (91%) and Stage II (86%) and shrinks bulky Stage III tumors allowing less radical procedures in selected sites (e.g., GU). Survival is poor in Stage III (35%) and dismal in Stage IV (5.2%) despite combined therapy. Relapse was fatal despite attempts at second-look resection, and altered chemotherapy and irradiation.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy