Pediatric Orofacial and Laryngopharyngeal Rhabdomyosarcoma: An Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Report

Eighty-nine children with localized rhabdomyosarcoma of orofacial and laryngopharyngeal sites were treated in accordance with the first and second Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS) protocols (IRS-I and IRS-II) between 1972 and 1984. Treatment included surgery (or biopsy) and chemotherapy for all patients and radiotherapy in the majority. The actuarial estimate of the three-year survival rate for all patients was 83% and did not differ significantly by primary site, histologic findings, or presence of adenopathy. A trend for a worse survival rate was seen in clinical group III patients and in those less than 5 years of age at diagnosis. Factors associated with an increased risk of local/regional relapse included omission of radiotherapy and a radiation dose of less than 40 Gy (4000 rad). We conclude that treatment of these patients as recommended in the IRS-I and IRS-II protocols results in very good local and regional tumor control and survival rates. Salvage therapy for local/regional recurrence may yield long-term remission and possibly cure.