Head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma: follow-up results of four cases and review of the literature

Int J Clin Exp Pathol. 2015 May 1;8(5):4277-83. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma (HNRMS) is exceedingly rare and poorly documented. The difficult diagnosis often causes a poor prognosis and high mortality. Hence, we report 4 cases of HNRMS and their follow-up outcomes, and review the clinicopathological features of this rare tumor. The 4 patients ranged in age from 5 to 29 years. Among them, 3 patients had a good prognosis after combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy or surgery alone. Another patient survived for only 3 months after diagnosis without therapy. Deeply insight into HNRMS might improve the ability of diagnosis and treatment for this disease.

Keywords: Rhabdomyosarcoma; follow-up; head and neck.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child, Preschool
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma / pathology*
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma / therapy
  • Young Adult