Nokea
A 2-month-old girl is found to have a small, hard mass on her scalp. The mass increases in size over the next 4 weeks. A biopsy is performed that confirms a diagnosis of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. You initiate chemotherapy with vincristine, dactinomycin, and cyclophosphamide. The child presents to clinic for day 1 of cycle 3 of chemotherapy, and the mass on her scalp is smaller. She is afebrile, absolute neutrophil count is 1,405 cells/mcL, platelet count is 154,000/mcL, and total bilirubin is 0.8 mg/dL. Her mother reports she looks very tired because her eyelids have been 'very droopy,' and she thinks she has a sore throat because her cry is hoarse. Her last bowel movement was 2 days ago. What is the most appropriate chemotherapy plan?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Administer dactinomycin and cyclophosphamide but hold the vincristine and reevaluate weekly. If the ptosis and hoarse cry resolve, vincristine can be resumed with a dose reduction and, if tolerated, re-escalated to the full dose in the future.
Rationale:
1. Ptosis and hoarse cry are symptoms of vincristine-induced neurotoxicity.
2. Holding vincristine allows for resolution of these side effects.
3. Reevaluating weekly ensures close monitoring of symptoms.
4. If symptoms resolve, vincristine can be cautiously reintroduced with a dose reduction to prevent further neurotoxicity.
Summary:
A: Continuing all chemotherapy may worsen neurotoxicity.
B: Withholding all chemotherapy is not appropriate if two agents are effective.
D: Discontinuing vincristine permanently may limit treatment options.