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Clinical character of pediatric head and neck rhabdomysarcomas: a 7-year retrospective study
Wei-Ling Zhang1, Yi Zhang, Dong-Sheng Huang
1Department of Pediatrics, Tong Ren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. dongshenghuangcn@163.com
Insights
Pediatric head and neck rhabdomysarcoma (RMS) treatment outcomes were evaluated. Multidisciplinary care, including chemotherapy and auto-peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT), showed an 86.5% survival rate.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Cancer Research
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common childhood soft tissue malignancy.
- Head and neck RMS presents a high degree of malignancy in pediatric patients.
- Effective treatment strategies for pediatric head and neck RMS are crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize clinical data of pediatric head and neck RMS cases.
- To evaluate the treatment outcomes for children diagnosed with RMS.
- To assess the efficacy of various treatment modalities.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of clinical data from 41 newly diagnosed pediatric RMS patients.
- Statistical analysis using Students' t and Chi tests.
- Survival analysis conducted via the Kaplan-Meier method.
Main Results:
- 32 patients received standard chemotherapy; 3 with stage III RMS underwent high-dose chemotherapy and auto-peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT).
- Reported side-effects were generally manageable across both treatment groups.
- The overall survival rate was 86.5% (32/37) with a Complete Response (CR) rate of 67.6% (25/37).
Conclusions:
- Multidisciplinary treatment is highly recommended for pediatric head and neck RMS.
- Combination therapies including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and auto-PBSCT improve outcomes.
- Aggressive treatment approaches are vital for improving survival in high-risk pediatric RMS patients.
Objective:
The rhabdomysarcoma (RMS) is most common soft tissue carcinoma in children, mostly found in the head and neck with high degree of malignancy. The current study aimed to summarize clinical data and evaluate treatment outcome of cases in a single hospital.
Methods:
Forty-one (24 male, 17 female) children with newly diagnosed RMS in Beijing Tong Ren Hospital were enrolled between November, 2004 and May, 2011. The. Students' t and Chi tests were then performed on retrospectively reviewed clinical data, followed by survival analysis based on the Kaplan Meier method using SPSS 17.0 software.
Results:
Of all cases, 32 were treated by common chemotherapy, and 3 cases with stage III RMS received high-dose chemotherapy and auto-peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT). Side-effects in the former were: I grade for 62.5% (20/32), II grade for 28.1% (9/32), III grade account for 9.275% (3/32). Side-effects of 3 cases with APBSCT: 2 were I grade, 1 was III grade. The median follow-up time of 41 RMS cases was 41 months. Four cases were lost to follow-up, 7 cases recurred, and 5 cases died of cerebral metastasis, witha total survival rate was 86.5% (32/37). CR rate was 67.6% (25/37), PR was 18.9% (7/37).
Conclusion:
Multidiscipline treatment including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and auto-PBSCT is highly recommended for pediatric patients with head and neck RMS.
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