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).