Analysis of 13 cases of rhabdomyosarcoma in the female genital tract

Abstract

To investigate the clinical features, treatments and prognostic factors of rhabdomyosarcoma(RMS)in the female genital tract. A retrospective analysis was performed on 13 cases of RMS in the female genital tract. Clinical characteristics, treatments and prognosis were compared and analyzed statistically. The median age was 21.0 years(range, 6 to 54 years). There were 6 cases vaginal RMS and 7 cases cervical RMS, included 11 cases of embryonal RMS(ERMS)and 2 cases of alveolar RMS(ARMS). According to the Federation International of Gynecology and Obstetrics(FIGO)staging system, there were 6 cases of stage Ⅰ , 3 cases of stage Ⅱ, 1 case of stage Ⅲ and 3 cases of stage Ⅳ, the median survival time were respectively 112.5, 153.0, 9.0 and 3.5 months. According to the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcom Study Group(IRSG)staging system, there were 10 cases of stage Ⅰ and 3 cases of the stage Ⅳ, and their median survival time were respectively 112.5 and 3.5 months. Nine patients received surgery and the median survival time was 108.0 months(range, 9 to 228 months), 6 of them received chemotherapy after surgery and the median survival time was 152.0 months(range, 9 to 228 months), the other 3 cases did not receive any therapy after surgery and the median survival time was 25.0 months(range, 9 to 108 months). Four patients did not receive surgery and the median survival time was 6.3 months(range, 1 to 117 months). There were 2 cases received combined treatment included radiotherapy and the survival time were respectively 4 and 198 months. There were 8 cases who was survival without disease and 5 cases died of cancer. The median survival time in 13 patients was 25.0 months(range, 1 to 228 months)and the 5-year overall survival rate was 58.6%. The prognosis of early stage of RMS in the female genital tract is good. While, the prognosis of advanced stage is poor. The standard treatment strategy is combination of surgery and chemotherapy, whether radiotherapy could improve the prognosis still need further study.