Rhabdomyosarcoma in Children

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common form of soft tissue sarcoma in pediatric practice. This malignant tumor arises from muscle tissue and can occur in various parts of the body. In this article we will consider the main aspects of rhabdomyosarcoma in children, its histological variants, treatment and survival prognosis.

Histological variants of rhabdomyosarcoma in children

Rhabdomyosarcomas in children can be classified into three histological types: embryonal, alveolar and polymorphic. The fetal variant is the most common and usually occurs in children aged 2 to 6 years. It is most often found in the head and neck, prostate, bladder and vagina.

The alveolar variant of rhabdomyosarcoma, although less common, often presents in older children. It can occur in the extremities, testes, and paratesticular tissue. The polymorphic variant is the rarest and can appear in any part of the body.

Treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma in children

Surgical removal of the tumor is the first stage of treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma in children. However, for larger tumors, surgical removal may be difficult. At the same time, rhabdomyosarcomas, especially embryonal ones, are radiosensitive tumors. Therefore, radiation therapy is an essential component of combination treatment.

Of the chemotherapy drugs used to treat rhabdomyosarcoma in children, the most effective are vincristine, cyclophosphamide, dactinomycin, adriamycin and cisplatin. Treatment may vary depending on the histological variant, location and stage of the tumor.

Survival prognosis

Comprehensive treatment, including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, can significantly improve the prognosis of survival in children with rhabdomyosarcoma. According to statistics, the 3-year survival rate is about 60%. However, the survival prognosis can vary significantly depending on many factors, such as tumor stage, patient age and histological variant.

In conclusion, rhabdomyosarcoma in children is a serious disease that requires comprehensive treatment. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are the main treatments for rhabdomyosarcoma in children. At the same time, the choice of treatment method depends on the histological variant, location and stage of the tumor. The prognosis of survival in children with rhabdomyosarcoma depends on many factors, and can be significantly improved with timely and effective treatment. Therefore, if suspicious symptoms appear, parents should seek medical help otherwise, as in the case of any cancer, a delay in treatment can lead to negative consequences for the child’s health.