[Rhabdomyosarcoma of the prostate and bladder in a child: radical or conservative surgery?].

Abstract

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft-tissue tumor in childhood. In infants it is frequently localized in the pelvis and in the prostata or bladder region. The aim of treatment should be to eradicate the tumor and yet maintain as normal function as possible. Effective preoperative chemotherapy has enabled one to frequently achieve this aim. We report on two patients both with a rhabdomyosarcoma of the bladder-prostata. One of them in 1983 was operated and treated with chemotherapy and cysto-prostatectomy and the other in 1991 with chemotherapy and eradication of the tumor without cystectomy. Both children are now tumor-free after 10 years/2 years resp. Both approaches are discussed.