INTRODUCTION
Surgery is an integral part of the multimodal therapy for
rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), aiming to remove the tumor and enhance the
likelihood of a cure. The approach to surgery varies and is highly
individualized depending on the tumor’s size, location, and stage, as
well as the patient’s overall health and functional needs.
Biopsies are performed to confirm the diagnosis and assess the tumor’s
histological type, which influences the surgical approach. The primary
goal of surgery for RMS is to achieve complete resection of the tumor
with a margin of normal tissue. This helps minimize the risk of residual
cancer cells and reduces the likelihood of recurrence. Preservation of
function and appearance is also a key consideration, especially in
pediatric patients. This can involve intricate planning to balance tumor
removal with the need to maintain limb function or other critical
anatomical features.
The surgical management of rhabdomyosarcoma is complex and nuanced and
requires a multidisciplinary approach. Given the variation in surgical
practices for the treatment of RMS, the aim of this work is to provide
guidance for key questions by developing an evidence-based clinical
practice guideline (CPG).