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Current Treatment of Pediatric Bladder and Prostate Rhabdomyosarcoma

  • Pediatric Urology (D Weiss, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common sarcoma diagnosed in the first 20 years of life; bladder/prostate (BP) RMS accounts for 5% of all cases. Through efforts from multiple cooperative study groups, survival has improved significantly. This article aims to review the complex RMS classification system and treatment of BP RMS, with a focus on developing aspects of treatment.

Recent Findings

Recent advancements in technology are responsible for most of the progress in RMS treatment. PET-CT scanning has been shown to be superior to conventional metastatic workup. The use of proton beam therapy and brachytherapy to reduce the side effects of radiation is also showing promise.

Summary

All cooperative oncology groups agree on surgical biopsy for diagnosis and staging of BP RMS. Patients are then grouped and risk classified before receiving chemotherapy. Regardless of local control strategy, oncologic outcomes appear to be similar for BP RMS. Alternative treatment strategies, which remain unproven, include brachytherapy and proton therapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, University of Colorado School of Medicine & Children’s Hospital Colorado, 13123 E 16th Ave., Box 463, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA

    Amanda F. Saltzman & Nicholas G. Cost

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  1. Amanda F. Saltzman
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  2. Nicholas G. Cost
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Correspondence to Nicholas G. Cost.

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Conflict of Interest

Amanda F. Saltzman and Nicholas G. Cost each declare no potential conflicts of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Pediatric Urology

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Saltzman, A.F., Cost, N.G. Current Treatment of Pediatric Bladder and Prostate Rhabdomyosarcoma. Curr Urol Rep 19, 11 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-018-0761-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-018-0761-8

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