Related Experiment Videos
Rhabdomyosarcoma in Thai children
Insights
This retrospective study analyzed 26 childhood rhabdomyosarcoma cases in Thai children. Late-stage diagnosis and limited treatment options contributed to poor outcomes in this pediatric cancer.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Cancer Research
- Medical Statistics
Background:
- Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare childhood cancer.
- Understanding epidemiological data is crucial for improving treatment outcomes.
- This study focuses on Thai children diagnosed between 1970 and 1982.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively analyze cases of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma in Thai children.
- To identify common subtypes, locations, and stages of the disease.
- To evaluate treatment outcomes and identify factors influencing prognosis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 26 rhabdomyosarcoma cases.
- Data collected from the Department of Pediatrics, Ramathibodi Hospital.
- Patient demographics, disease characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes were reviewed.
Main Results:
- The mean age was 5.6 years, with a male predominance (16 boys, 10 girls).
- Embryonal cell sarcoma was the most common subtype (19 cases).
- Most cases presented at advanced stages (III and IV) with common sites including head/neck and abdomen.
Conclusions:
- Late-stage diagnosis and limited effective treatment options were associated with poor outcomes.
- Further research is needed to improve early detection and therapeutic strategies for pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma in Thailand.
Abstract:
Twenty-six cases of rhabdomyosarcoma diagnosed from a total of 845 Thai children with childhood malignancy who had been treated at the Department of Pediatrics Ramathibodi Hospital, from May 1970 to December 1982 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 16 boys and 10 girls, aged 3 months to 13 years old (mean age was 5.6 +/- 4.1 years old). The common type was the embryonal cell sarcoma (19 cases), 3 cases were undetermined, 2 cases of alveolar cell type and one each of the pleomorphic and undifferentiated cell type. Only 2 cases had stage II disease, 10 and 14 cases were stage III and IV respectively. The common locations were head and neck (10 cases), abdomen (8 cases including one in the uterus, scrotum and 3 in the urinary bladder), and in 7 cases in the extremities. One patient had small lesion at the buttock. The treatment consisted of surgery, radiation therapy, actinomycin, vincristine and cyclophosphamide. Eight cases were lost to follow-up, 10 cases were discharged in advanced stage after been treated for 6.2 +/- 4 months, 4 cases had no evidence of disease for 2 to 7.5 years, 4 cases died after 4 to 27 months of treatment. The poor result obtained was probably due to the late stages of the disease at diagnosis, and limitations in the use of effective medications.