The Impact of Pelvic Radiotherapy on Hematological Outcomes in Pediatric
Genitourinary Rhabdomyosarcoma
Abstract
Objectives Hematological toxicities are a common sequela of
radiation therapy (RT), and pelvic RT is of particular concern as the
pelvic marrow contributes nearly 50% of total body hematopoiesis. This
study aims to evaluate the impact of pelvic RT on hematological
toxicities in pediatric patients with pelvic genitourinary
rhabdomyosarcoma (GU-RMS). Methods A secondary analysis was
conducted on 488 pediatric patients with intermediate-risk
rhabdomyosarcoma enrolled in the ARST0531 trial. Of these, 65 had pelvic
GU-RMS and received pelvic RT. Multivariable logistic regression models
were used to assess the odds of developing cytopenias (anemia,
leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and lymphopenia) during the
study period (weeks 1-43). The analysis adjusted for variables such as
age, race, tumor size, and chemotherapy regimen. Outcomes were compared
between pelvic GU-RMS patients and non-GU RMS patients.
Results GU-RMS patients did not have a significantly higher
risk of developing cytopenias compared to non-GU RMS patients.
Neutropenia was the most prevalent cytopenia, affecting 79.4% of
subjects, with no significant difference between the GU (73.8%) and
non-GU (80.4%) groups (OR 0.64,p=0.16). Thrombocytopenia was
significantly more common in GU-RMS patients during the first 15 weeks
(OR 2.79,p=0.01) of treatment. Febrile neutropenia and infectious
complications were comparable between both groups across the study
periods. Conclusion Comparable rates of hematological
toxicities were observed in pediatric GU and non-GU RMS subjects. Pelvic
RT for GU-RMS was associated with an early increase in thrombocytopenia
risk, though this difference diminished over time. Further understanding
these hematological toxicities is essential for improving the management
of pediatric RMS patients.