Prognosis

Prognosis

The prognosis of rhabdomyosarcoma depends on the location of the primary tumor, the stage and type of the disease and on the treatment used.

While aggressive treatment is usually necessary, most children with rhabdomyosarcoma will survive long-term.

The prognosis of rhabdomyosarcoma depends on the location of the primary tumor, the stage and type of the disease and also on the treatment used.

Individuals with rhabdomyosarcomas of the orbit and genitourinary tract have a better outcome than those with tumors originating in the regions of theextremities and trunk.

In those with localized disease who have been treated with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, the overall 5-year survival rate is 80 %.

However, in those with metastatic disease a 5-year event-free survival rate is less than 30%.

In patients with metastatic disease devoid of other high-risk factors (such as unfavorable site, more than 3 sites involved, age younger than 1 year or older than 10 years and bone marrow involvement) have a better prognosis of 50% 3-year event-free survival than those patients with 3 or 4 of these factors.