Study on the clinical characteristics and prognosis for children high-risk group of head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma

Objective To study the relationship between high-risk factors with the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of children with high-risk head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Methods Children with high-risk RMS primarily found in head and neck were selected as research objects according to the criteria of RMS risk degree formulated by Children Oncology Group (COG) and Children′s Rhabdomyosarcoma Cooperative Group, Children′s Hematological Oncology Group, China Anti-Cancer Association (CCCG-RMS), and combined treatment including puncture pathology/surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were performed.The relationship with primary site, age, pathology type and metastasis and prognosis were analyzed. Results Twenty-nine patients were collected as research object, 17 cases (58.6%) of male, and 12 cases (41.4%) of female.The primary site: orbit was 7 patients (24.1%), and para-meningeal was 22 patients (75.9%). Clinical stage: 2 cases were stage Ⅲ (6.9%), and 27 cases were stage Ⅳ (93.1%). Followed up to December 31, 2018, 14 patients were dead, 15 patients were survival, and 10 patients were event free survival.The overall survival rate was 48.3%(15/29 cases), and the event free survival rate was 34.5%(10/29 cases). According to Kaplan-Merier survival curve analysis, the average overall survival time was (76.0±12.0) months, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): (53.5-93.2)months.The event free survival time was (62.5±10.6) months, 95% CI: (47.0-83.9)months. Conclusions The prognosis of high-risk head and neck RMS is poor.The center system metastasis is cause of death.Thus, the main task is how to close follow-up and prevention of central nervous system invasion for improving prognosis. Key words: Rhabdomyosarcoma; Head and neck; High-risk group; Prognosis; Child