[The multidisciplinary treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma in childhood. A 10-year multicenter experience (1978-1988) in Liguria].
The authors retrospectively analyzed the therapy results in a large group of children affected by rhabdomyosarcoma and treated from 1978 to 1988 with chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. 39/58 patients (67%) achieved a complete response and 25/39 maintained the NED status. An individualized treatment was given to 13 patients who relapsed, but only 3 of them obtained a second response. Those with primary tumor in the orbit or in the genito-urinary tract had lower recurrence rate than patients with head and neck, extremities, pelvis and trunk diseases. Patients in clinical group I and II (according with I.R.S. stadiation) had a significantly better survival than those with more advanced disease (clinical groups III and IV). Relatively to the primary site of the disease, the late effects of combined treatment are mentioned.