Rhabdomyosarcoma, the most common soft-tissue cancer in children, can occur at any age, but most cases are diagnosed in two distinct age groups: between 2 and 6 years old and between 15 and 19 years old.
Age Groups Most Affected
- Early Childhood (2-6 years): This is the most common age range for diagnosis.
- Adolescence (15-19 years): There is a second, smaller peak in incidence during adolescence.
Other Age Considerations
While the peaks are in these age ranges, it's crucial to remember that rhabdomyosarcoma can affect children of other ages, including infants and young adults. A study mentions that 5% of patients in the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study were younger than 1 year old. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3779610/ Furthermore, a specific subtype, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, affects older children, teenagers, and young adults between 20 and 35 years old. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6226-rhabdomyosarcoma
Prognosis and Age
Age is a factor influencing prognosis. Children aged 1 to 9 generally have a better outlook than infants or older children/adults. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/rhabdomyosarcoma/about/key-statistics.html
While younger age is often associated with an increased risk, it's crucial to understand that rhabdomyosarcoma's occurrence and prognosis are complex and depend on various factors beyond age alone, including tumor location, subtype, and treatment response.
