Proton Radiation Therapy (RT) for the Treatment of Pediatric Rhabdomyosarcoma

• A special device is made for each participant to help them hold still during the treatment. This may be in the form of a mask or a custom made foam cradle depending on the area to be treated.
• Radiation treatments will be given once per day, 5 days a week for a total of 4 to 6 weeks, depending upon how much total dose the tumor requires.
• Participants will be seen once per week by their radiation doctor to monitor health and record any side effects from treatment.
• After the radiation treatments are completed, participants will be required to undergo further tests and evaluations for several years following treatment.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with biopsy proven newly diagnosed rhabdomyosarcoma.
• Patients less than or equal to 30 years of age.
• Patients must be treated with a standardly accepted chemotherapy regimen.
• May not have metastatic disease unless aged 2-10 with embryonal histology.
• Must be willing to receive follow-up care for a minimum of five years after treatment at MGH and annual visits unless it is too difficult to return to MGH for follow-up care. In that event, they must be willing to have their outside medical information released to us to track the results.
• Timing of radiation must be according to the IRB protocol upon which the patient is treated within either 35 days of last chemotherapy or surgery.

Exclusion criteria

• Life expectancy of less than 2 years.
• Co-morbidities that would make the use of radiation too toxic to deliver safely, such as serious local injury or collagen vascular disease.
• Patients who are pregnant
• Previous treatment with radiation therapy.