Paediatric Sarcomas

Sarcomas represent approximately one tenth of all childhood tumours. These are cancers originating from the muscle (rhabdomyosarcoma) or the bone (osteosarcoma and Ewing's Sarcoma). Biopsy is always performed first to confirm the diagnosis. Because sarcomas can spread to other parts of the body, "staging" procedures (CT scan of the chest, bone marrow biopsies, bone scan and PET scan) are performed prior to treatment.

Rhabdomyosarcoma

Depending on several factors (age, location, size and type of the tumour) patients with rhabdomyosarcoma receive tailored therapy according to their risk (low, intermediate, high or very high). In general the treatment involves chemotherapy (Ifosfamide, Cyclophosphamide, Actinomycin-D, Vincristine, Doxorubicin), maximum possible surgery and/or radiation therapy. Their prognosis is usually very good.

Osteosarcoma

Patients with osteosarcoma receive initially chemotherapy (Cisplatin, Doxorubicin, Methotrexate) followed by surgical resection, and depending on the findings, the duration and type of chemotherapy following surgery is tailored accordingly. Patients with osteosarcoma do not routinely receive radiation therapy. Their prognosis, if not metastatic (spread to other parts) is very good.

Ewing's Sarcoma

Patients with Ewing's sarcoma also receive several cycles of chemotherapy (Ifosfamide, Etoposide, Vincristine, Doxorubicin) followed by surgical resection of the tumour and/or radiation therapy. Further chemotherapy is administered after the surgical removal of the tumour for approximately 8 months.

Other Sarcomas

Other types of sarcomas require individualized treatment depending on the type and size with surgery only, surgery and radiation therapy, surgery and chemotherapy (most commonly Ifosfamide/ Doxorubicin) and radiation therapy. Patients who experience relapse (re-growth of their tumour) have unfortunately poor prognosis and their treatment is individualized. Patients usually receive novel drugs alone or in combination typically enrolled in clinical trials or offered novel combinations based on the most up to date published information.