Imaging recommendations for the management of pediatric non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcoma (NRSTS): Consensus statement of the International Soft Tissue Sarcoma Consortium (INSTRuCT)

Abstract

Pediatric non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas (NRSTS) consist of a very heterogeneous group of soft tissue sarcomas, some of which are more prevalent at an adult age. Patient numbers are extremely small and diagnostics and treatment are challenged by the rarity of the disease. Improvement in outcomes can only be achieved through international collaboration and using uniform imaging guidelines. In this manuscript we present imaging recommendations from the International Soft Tissue Sarcoma Consortium (INSTRuCT) - imaging working group, bringing together experts from the North American Children's Oncology Group (COG), the European paediatric Soft tissue sarcoma Study Group (EpSSG), and the Cooperative Weichtelsarkom Studiengruppe (CWS). Recommendations were based on available literature and expert opinion if no literature was available. We recommend implementation of these guidelines in centers treating children, adolescents, and young adults with NRSTS.