Coordinated treatment of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma with surgery, radiotherapy, and combination chemotherapy.

Abstract

Summary Twenty children with rhabdomyosarcoma were treated in a coordinated program utilizing surgery, radiotherapy, and combination chemotherapy. Therapy was determined by the stage of disease at which treatment was initiated. Of the 20 patients, 15 developed complete regression of tumor; 4 patients developed partial response. Of the 9 patients who are alive, 7 have been tumor free for 2 to 39 months. Concurrent radiotherapy and prolonged, intensive, combination chemotherapy are well tolerated following surgery for rhabdomyosarcoma. The coordinated use of these modalities offers prospects of curing more children who have this tumor.