Combined modality therapy with conservation of organ function in childhood genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma

Recent refinements in the multimodal therapy of childhood genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma have produced striking improvements in long-term survival rates while still preserving pelvic organ function in the majority of cases. Three illustrative cases of childhood pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma are presented. Chemotherapy and surgical staging are employed in all 3 cases, with 2 of the cases requiring additional local tumor excision and intraurethral radiation for control of residual microscopic tumor. While long-term follow-up has not been achieved, all 3 patients have had their pelvic organs preserved and remain tumor-free in follow-up periods ranging from twelve to twenty-four months after the initial diagnosis.