High-dose cisplatin by continous infusion and etoposide in the treatment of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma

Abstract

Eight patients from 10 months to 12 years of age with embryonal (4) or alveolar (4) rhabdomyosarcoma were treated with high doses of cisplatin (40 mg/m2/d, during 5 days) by I.V. infusion; 3/8 patients had received a traditional therapy, the other 5 children had been
not previously treated. The gastrointestinal toxicity, nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity were low and acceptable. Only 1 case, previously treated, suffered an important loss of hearing capacity. The marrow toxicity was severe, although transient, and the dosedependent
factor was proved. Two partial responses and 1 minor response were got in the 3 cases previously treated and 5 partial responses in the 5 no-treated before cases. This schedule can be used as an initial treatment, pre-surgical, of soft tissue sarcomas of children because it is effective and has a low toxicity.