Non-metastatic pediatric head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma: a 24-year retrospective experience from Jordan - Report - MDSpire

Non-metastatic pediatric head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma: a 24-year retrospective experience from Jordan

  • By

  • Arwa Kiswani

  • Omar Jaber

  • Ahmad Kh. Ibrahimi

  • Nasim Sarhan

  • Yacoub A. Yousef

  • Mona Mohammad

  • Rula Al-Qawabah

  • Iyad Sultan

  • Hadeel Halalsheh

  • July 16, 2026

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Clinical Report: A 24-Year Retrospective Study of Non-Metastatic Rhabdomyosarcoma

Overview

This study presents a retrospective analysis of pediatric patients with non-metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (HNRMS) in Jordan, revealing a 5-year overall survival rate of 70.1%.

Background

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in children, with a significant impact on pediatric oncology. Understanding the clinical outcomes in different geographical settings, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), is crucial for improving treatment protocols and patient management. This study addresses the gap in real-world data regarding HNRMS outcomes in Jordan.

Data Highlights

ParameterValue
Number of patients98
Non-metastatic cases77 (79%)
Median age at diagnosis5.9 years
5-year event-free survival (EFS)66.1%
5-year overall survival (OS)70.1%

Key Findings

  • Among 98 patients, 77 had non-metastatic disease.
  • The most common primary sites were parameningeal (40%) and orbital (26%).
  • Histology was embryonal in 66% of patients.
  • 78% of patients were classified as intermediate risk.
  • 30% experienced relapse or progression, primarily local recurrence.
  • 5-year OS rates varied by primary site: orbital (91.7%), parameningeal (51.2%), and other HN primaries (76.1%).

Clinical Implications

The study highlights the importance of local control strategies for parameningeal tumors, which were associated with poorer outcomes.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that survival rates were achieved in this cohort, emphasizing the need for targeted local control strategies.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 2022 -- Pediatric Central Nervous System Tumors in Children Aged 5 and Under: An Analysis of Treatment Challenges, Survival Rates, and Long-Term Prognosis
  2. The ASCO Post, 2025 -- High-Risk Rhabdomyosarcoma: Long-Term Outcomes With Maintenance Chemotherapy
  3. Journal of Neuro-Oncology, 2024 -- Pediatric Spinal Chordomas: An Analysis of Survival Outcomes and Characteristics from the National Cancer Database and Literature Review
  4. The ASCO Post, 2021 -- Risk Categories for Pediatric Patients With Medulloblastoma
  5. SIOP Europe, 2026 -- European Standard Clinical Practice Guideline for Rhabdomyosarcoma
  6. SIOP Europe Guidelines for Rhabdomyosarcoma
  7. Radiation Therapy Dose Escalation Failed to Improve Local Control for Intermediate-Risk Rhabdomyosarcoma on ARST1431: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group - PubMed

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