Nonsurgical treatment of pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma: A case report

Abstract

A 2 ½‐year‐old male child with rhabdomyosarcoma of the prostate was treated with radiation to the pelvis, consisting of 5,600 rads in 7 ½ weeks, and combination chemotherapy of Vincristine and Actinomycin D. Surgery had been refused. The child is alive and disease‐free more than 5 years after diagnosis, and over 2 years following the cessation of all therapy. Recent advances in radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy have significantly improved the outlook in this aggressive childhood neoplasm and have made a less aggressive and less mutilating surgical approach often desirable. This, in turn, holds out the prospect of improved quality of survival in children so afflicted.