Affinita MC, Cesen M, Mudry P, Devalck C, Glosli H, Coppadoro B, Zanetti I, Minard-Colin V, Chisholm JC, Orbach D, Terwisscha van Scheltinga S, Fajardo RD, Borgwardt L, Merks JHM, Bisogno G. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2026 Jul;73(7):e70373. doi: 10.1002/1545-5017.70373. Epub 2026 May 5.PMID: 42084148
Children with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) are treated at hospitals that care for different numbers of patients each year. It is often thought that larger, more experienced centres may achieve better results. This study investigated whether the number of RMS patients treated at a centre affected the quality of care or patient outcomes.
Researchers analysed data from 1,613 children with localised RMS treated at 126 hospitals across Europe between 2005 and 2016. The hospitals were grouped into high-, medium-, and low-volume centres based on the number of patients they treated. The study compared how closely each centre followed the treatment protocol and whether this influenced survival.
Overall, hospitals of all sizes provided similar treatment and achieved comparable survival outcomes. Most centres closely followed the recommended treatment guidelines, including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy. High-volume centres were more likely to use specialist pathology review and molecular testing, while small differences were also seen in the use of some imaging tests. Errors in assigning patients to the correct risk group were uncommon but occurred slightly more often in lower-volume centres.
These findings show that using a standardised treatment protocol can help ensure that children with rhabdomyosarcoma receive high-quality care and have similar outcomes, regardless of where they are treated. The results also highlight the value of collaboration between hospitals and specialist centres, particularly for diagnosis and risk assessment. Expanding the use of international treatment guidelines across Europe could further improve consistency of care and help ensure all children have access to the best possible treatment.
Researchers analysed data from 1,613 children with localised RMS treated at 126 hospitals across Europe between 2005 and 2016. The hospitals were grouped into high-, medium-, and low-volume centres based on the number of patients they treated. The study compared how closely each centre followed the treatment protocol and whether this influenced survival.
Overall, hospitals of all sizes provided similar treatment and achieved comparable survival outcomes. Most centres closely followed the recommended treatment guidelines, including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy. High-volume centres were more likely to use specialist pathology review and molecular testing, while small differences were also seen in the use of some imaging tests. Errors in assigning patients to the correct risk group were uncommon but occurred slightly more often in lower-volume centres.
These findings show that using a standardised treatment protocol can help ensure that children with rhabdomyosarcoma receive high-quality care and have similar outcomes, regardless of where they are treated. The results also highlight the value of collaboration between hospitals and specialist centres, particularly for diagnosis and risk assessment. Expanding the use of international treatment guidelines across Europe could further improve consistency of care and help ensure all children have access to the best possible treatment.
