BACKGROUND

The present study evaluates the outcome of 19 children with rhabdomyosarcoma of the head-and-neck region treated with Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) or Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy (FSRT) between August 1995 and November 2005.

METHODS

We treated 19 children with head-and-neck rhabdomyosarcoma with FSRT (n = 14) or IMRT (n = 5) as a part of multimodal therapy. Median age at the time of radiation therapy was 5 years (range 2-15 years). All children received systemic chemotherapy according to the German Soft Tissue Sarcoma Study protocols. Median size of treatment volume for RT was 93,4 ml. We applied a median total dose of 45 Gy (range 32 Gy - 54 Gy) using a median fractionation of 5 x 1,8 Gy/week (range 1,6 Gy - 1,8 Gy). The median time interval between primary diagnosis and radiation therapy was 5 months (range 3-9 months).

RESULTS

After RT, the 3- and 5-year survival rate was 94%. The 3- and 5-year actuarial local control rate after RT was 89%. The actuarial freedom of distant metastases rate at 3- and 5-years was 89% for all patients. Radiotherapy was well tolerated in all children and could be completed without interruptions > 4 days. No toxicities >CTC grade 2 were observed. The median follow-up time after RT was 17 months.

CONCLUSION

IMRT and FSRT lead to excellent outcome in children with head-and-neck RMS with a low incidence of treatment-related side effects.