Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma

Abstract

A group of 204 patients with pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma at The Memorial Hospital in a 30‐year period is reviewed. This is a tumor of advancing years, with 47.5% of the patients between 55 to 75 years of age. Males predominate, 47% were in the lower and 29% in the upper extremity, with cure rates the same in each area. The observed 5‐year survival rate of all patients was 29.4%; 53% were dead in less than 36 months. The survival rates of 85 primary cases and 75 recurrent operable patients were 36.5% and 38% respectively, which indicates a paradox of similar problems despite recurrence. In the primary group, 14 of 33 patients (45.4%) with extensive soft part resections were successfully treated as opposed to four of 24 patients (17.2%) with radical amputations. However, in the recurrent group, the survival rate for both groups of tumors in the extremities was the same. As far as treatment is concerned, the data indicate the relevancy of Stout's statement: “Treatment should certainly be radical with removal of a large block of surrounding uninvolved tissues. This may or may not mean amputation”. Copyright © 1968 American Cancer Society