Rhabdomyosarcoma of the orbit in a four months old infant in Zimbabwe: A case report

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Oncology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Rhabdomyosarcoma presents a significant challenge in infants, often associated with poorer prognoses compared to older children.
• High rates of local failure contribute to adverse outcomes in infant rhabdomyosarcoma cases.

Observation:

• This report details a 4-month-old infant diagnosed with orbital rhabdomyosarcoma, experiencing a poor outcome.
• The case highlights challenges in managing infant rhabdomyosarcoma, including reluctance towards aggressive local control and suboptimal chemotherapy.

Findings:

• Infants with rhabdomyosarcoma face worse prognoses, largely due to difficulties in achieving local disease control.
• Suboptimal chemotherapy dosing and hesitation in employing aggressive local therapies are identified as key factors impacting infant outcomes.

Implications:

• Further research is essential to establish effective and appropriate local therapeutic strategies for infants diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma.
• Optimizing chemotherapy regimens and local control measures are critical for improving survival rates in this vulnerable population.