Cancer Res Treat.  2008 Sep;40(3):111-115.

Initial Response to Treatment was Highly Associated with the Prognosis of Childhood Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Retrospective Analysis of a Single Center Experience in Korea

• Park JA
• Kim EK
• Kang HJ
• Shin HY
• Kim IH
• Ahn HS

Abstract

PURPOSE: Following the introduction of a multimodal approach to diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) has markedly improved over the last three decades. However, there are few data on treatment outcomes in Korean patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We performed a retrospective analysis of 77 patients with RMS diagnosed and treated at Seoul National University Children's Hospital between 1986 and 2005.
RESULTS
The overall 5-year survival and event-free survival rates for all patients were 77% and 59%, respectively. The Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study clinical grouping and initial response to treatment (20-week response) were important prognostic factors.
CONCLUSIONS
The outcome of childhood RMS was closely associated with the initial staging and the initial response to treatment. Modulating therapies according to initial responses and risk factors is critical, and new treatment strategies for high-risk patients are needed.

Keyword

Rhabdomyosarcoma; Prognosis; Korea; Child

MeSH Terms

Child
Disease-Free Survival
Humans
Korea
Prognosis
Retrospective Studies
Rhabdomyosarcoma
Risk Factors

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Overall survival (A) and event-free survival (B) of patients according to IRS clinical grouping at diagnosis. *Comparison between Group III and Group IV.

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  Fig. 2 Overall survivals (A) and event-free survivals (B) of patients according to 20 weeks response to treatment.

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