Heinz AT, Ciuffolotti M, Merks JHM, Schönstein A, Minard-Colin V, Fuchs J, Guillen G, Timmermann B, Vokuhl C, Koscielniak E, Chisholm JC, Sparber-Sauer M, Bisogno G.
Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2024 Dec 10:e31476. doi: 10.1002/pbc.31476. Online ahead of print.
PMID: 39655886
Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is a rare and aggressive cancer, particularly when it spreads to nearby lymph nodes (N1), which is considered "very high risk" in Europe. This study looked at how different treatments affected the outcomes of patients with this type of cancer.
Researchers reviewed data from 156 patients treated between 2003 and 2020 in three European studies. Patients received chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiation therapy to treat the main tumor and affected lymph nodes. Some patients also received "maintenance therapy" to help prevent the cancer from returning. The most common chemotherapy regimens were IVADo (used by 60% of patients) and VAIA (used by 34%).
Despite these treatments, survival rates were low: only 45% of patients avoided cancer recurrence or progression for five years (event-free survival), and 47% were alive five years after diagnosis (overall survival). However, survival was better in patients who received local treatment—either surgery, radiation, or both—for their affected lymph nodes. Importantly, the type of local treatment (surgery vs. radiation) did not make a difference in outcomes.
This study shows that while ARMS with lymph node involvement remains very hard to treat, ensuring the lymph nodes are properly treated can significantly improve survival chances.
Researchers reviewed data from 156 patients treated between 2003 and 2020 in three European studies. Patients received chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiation therapy to treat the main tumor and affected lymph nodes. Some patients also received "maintenance therapy" to help prevent the cancer from returning. The most common chemotherapy regimens were IVADo (used by 60% of patients) and VAIA (used by 34%).
Despite these treatments, survival rates were low: only 45% of patients avoided cancer recurrence or progression for five years (event-free survival), and 47% were alive five years after diagnosis (overall survival). However, survival was better in patients who received local treatment—either surgery, radiation, or both—for their affected lymph nodes. Importantly, the type of local treatment (surgery vs. radiation) did not make a difference in outcomes.
This study shows that while ARMS with lymph node involvement remains very hard to treat, ensuring the lymph nodes are properly treated can significantly improve survival chances.
