Adult rhabdomyosarcoma: outcome following multimodality treatment

Background: Childhood rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) has a relatively good prognosis. Outcome for adults with this disease is poorly documented due to its rarity.

Methods: The clinicopathologic features, treatment methods, and disease outcome were reviewed retrospectively for 82 adults with locoregional RMS treated between 1960 and 1998. Patients with distant metastasis at diagnosis were excluded. Actuarial univariate and multivariate statistical methods were used to evaluate outcome.

Results: Patient ages ranged from 17 to 84 years (median, 27 years). Histologic subtypes were embryonal (34%), pleomorphic (43%), and alveolar (23%). Anatomic sites of origin were head and neck (52%), trunk (26%), and extremity (7%). Tumor size was 5 cm or smaller in 51% of patients. Regional lymph node metastasis was present in 33% of patients at presentation. Treatment consisted of radiation alone in 11%, radiation and surgery in 18%, radiation and chemotherapy in 34%, and all three modalities in 37%. With a median follow-up of 10.5 years, the 10-year actuarial disease-free and overall survival rates were 41% and 40%, respectively. The 10-year actuarial local, lymph node, and metastatic control rates were 75%, 82%, and 53%, respectively. The major determinant of metastatic control and survival was primary tumor size (< or = 5 vs. > 5 cm). Local control was satisfactory (10-year rate of 87%) for sites other than parameningeal (50% at 10 years). Patients whose disease responded to chemotherapy had a significantly better metastasis free period (72% at 10 years) than those whose disease failed to respond (19% at 10 years).

Conclusions: Adult RMS is a highly malignant tumor with a significant incidence of metastatic recurrence. Continuing investigation of new and potentially more effective chemotherapy is crucial. Local control is satisfactory for sites other than parameningeal where new radiation technologies such as intensity-modulated therapy may be necessary to safely deliver adequate doses.