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Rhabdomyosarcoma of the trachea: first reported case treated with proton beam therapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 July 2012

R Exley
Affiliation:
Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Christie Hospital, Manchester, UK
J M Bernstein*
Affiliation:
Department of Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Christie Hospital, Manchester, UK
B Brennan
Affiliation:
Department of Oncology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, UK
M P Rothera
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr Jonathan M Bernstein, Clinical Research Fellow, Head and Neck Surgical Oncology, Radiotherapy Related Research, 2nd Floor, Christie Hospital, Wilmslow Road, Manchester M20 4BX, UK Fax: +44 (0)161 446 8111 E-mail: jonathan.bernstein@doctors.org.uk

Abstract

Objective:

We report a case of rhabdomyosarcoma of the trachea in a 14-month-old child, and we present the first reported use of proton beam therapy for this tumour.

Case report:

A 14-month-old girl presented acutely with a seven-day history of biphasic stridor. Emergency endoscopic debulking of a posterior tracheal mass was undertaken. Histological examination revealed an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma with anaplasia. Multimodality therapy with surgery and chemotherapy was administered in the UK, and proton beam therapy in the USA.

Conclusion:

Only three cases of rhabdomyosarcoma of the trachea have previously been reported in the world literature. This is the first reported case of treatment of this tumour with proton beam therapy. Compared with conventional radiotherapy, proton beam therapy may confer improved long-term outcome in children, with benefits including reduced irradiation of the spinal cord.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2012

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Footnotes

Presented at the 141st Semon Club Meeting, 2 June 2011, London, UK

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