Changes to This Summary (02/03/2012)

The PDQ cancer information summaries are reviewed regularly and updated as new information becomes available. This section describes the latest changes made to this summary as of the date above.

Previously Untreated Childhood Rhabdomyosarcoma ¹

Added text ² to state that in Group II rhabdomyosarcoma patients, over 50% experienced local recurrence associated with noncompliance or omission of radiation therapy (RT) (cited Million et al. as reference 92).

Added text ³ about how in a retrospective review of 41 patients on two sequential studies for patients with low-risk embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma conducted by IRSG/COG, 33 girls with Group IIA or III N0 localized vaginal tumors received no primary irradiation and 12 (36%) recurred locally after vincristine and dactinomycin (VA), VA and cyclophosphamide (VAC), or VAc (low-dose cyclophosphamide) chemotherapy. A response-based approach that eliminates RT in children with vaginal tumors treated with VA or low-dose VAC appears to increase the rate of local recurrences; patients choosing to not undergo therapy have a 50% chance risk of needing intensive chemotherapy followed by RT (added level of evidence 3iiiDiii).