title: Rhabdomyosarcoma of the head and neck in adults: a study of 26 patients.
abstract: The clinical records of 26, predominantly male, adults with rhabdomyosarcomas in the head and neck were analyzed. Patients' ages ranged from 18 to 74 years (mean: 24.5 years). According to the retrospective clinical group classification, 18 (69%) of 26 were advanced tumors at initial presentation belonging to group III or IV. The ethmoids were the most common primary site of origin in 12 (46%) of 26 patients. Nodal and systemic metastases were noted in 12 (46%) and 6 (23%) patients, respectively. Bone metastases were noted in 4 patients. Heterogeneous treatment protocols were used with a variety of chemotherapy combinations in most cases, with surgery and radiotherapy. Overall results were poor, with a survival rate of 7.6% at 5 years. Neither histopathology nor response to chemotherapy was found to influence survival. All long-term survivors belonged to the early-stage groups (clinical groups I and II) for which complete surgical excision was possible. In spite of a poor prognosis after relapse, the use of aggressive chemotherapy appeared to prolong life in some patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery and Otorhinolaryngology, Institut Gustave-Roussy, Villejuif, France.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Nayar
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Prudhomme
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Parise
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gandia
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Luboinski
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schwaab
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015996:Survival Rate