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National Comprehensive Cancer Network publishes new guidelines for Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcomas, focused on rhabdomyosarcoma.
PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., Feb. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) today published new NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcomas. This is the 7th NCCN Guidelines® for a pediatric cancer, expanding the overall library to cover 91 topics in cancer care. The guidelines present the latest evidence-based, expert consensus-driven recommendations for nearly every type of cancer plus prevention, screening, survivorship, and supportive care. NCCN Guidelines are updated at least once a year and help cancer care providers worldwide to attain the best possible outcomes.
The new NCCN Guidelines® for Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcomas is now available for free at NCCN.org. They focus on a subtype called rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) which is the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma in people under 20. RMS represents nearly 5% of all childhood cancers.
"Most cancers that occur in children are fundamentally different from cancers occurring in adults," explained Stephen Skapek, MD, Duke Cancer Institute, Chair of the NCCN Guidelines Panel for Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma. "RMS can be divided into specific subtypes that are driven by different genetic changes that can influence outcomes. Those changes and other clinical and pathology features are all incorporated into the multi-faceted treatments. That's why it was essential to form a group of leading, multi-disciplinary experts from across the country to put together a roadmap for diagnosing, risk stratifying, and treating these patients."
"Children are most likely to be diagnosed with RMS at a very young age, toddlers or early elementary school," added Panel Vice-Chair Douglas Hawkins, MD, Seattle Children's. "When treating someone so young, you are not looking to just prolong survival, the goal is a full cure with minimal side effects and zero recurrence."
RMS is tricky to diagnose; it can be located almost anywhere on the body. When it presents in the head, neck, or limb, it can show up as a lump with or without pain. Other times it occurs on an internal organ, which might cause problems for breathing or urination. There are three major risk groups with varying survival rates. The intensity of the treatment, which typically includes chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy, must be tailored to the risk group as well as the age and the patient's developmental stage, which might be influenced by the treatment. The new NCCN Guidelines explain how to provide treatment in a way that balances the goal of cure with the need to minimize acute side effects, such as severe infections, and long-term effects that could bring additional problems at some point in the future.
All NCCN Guidelines are available for free download via NCCN.org or through the Virtual Library of NCCN Guidelines® App. They were downloaded more than 18.4 million times in 2025. Numerous independent studies associate guideline-concordant care with better outcomes and lower costs. Learn more at NCCN.org/guidelines.
About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) is a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education. NCCN is dedicated to defining and advancing quality, effective, equitable, and accessible cancer care and prevention so all people can live better lives. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) provide transparent, evidence-based, expert consensus-driven recommendations for cancer treatment, prevention, and supportive services; they are the recognized standard for clinical direction and policy in cancer management and the most thorough and frequently-updated clinical practice guidelines available in any area of medicine. The NCCN Guidelines for Patients® provide expert cancer treatment information to inform and empower patients and caregivers, through support from the NCCN Foundation®. NCCN also advances continuing education, global initiatives, policy, and research collaboration and publication in oncology. Visit NCCN.org for more information.
Media Contact:
Rachel Darwin
267-622-6624
darwin@nccn.org
National Comprehensive Cancer Network publishes new guidelines for Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcomas, focused on rhabdomyosarcoma.
PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa., Feb. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) today published new NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcomas. This is the 7th NCCN Guidelines® for a pediatric cancer, expanding the overall library to cover 91 topics in cancer care. The guidelines present the latest evidence-based, expert consensus-driven recommendations for nearly every type of cancer plus prevention, screening, survivorship, and supportive care. NCCN Guidelines are updated at least once a year and help cancer care providers worldwide to attain the best possible outcomes.
The new NCCN Guidelines® for Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcomas is now available for free at NCCN.org. They focus on a subtype called rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) which is the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma in people under 20. RMS represents nearly 5% of all childhood cancers.
"Most cancers that occur in children are fundamentally different from cancers occurring in adults," explained Stephen Skapek, MD, Duke Cancer Institute, Chair of the NCCN Guidelines Panel for Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma. "RMS can be divided into specific subtypes that are driven by different genetic changes that can influence outcomes. Those changes and other clinical and pathology features are all incorporated into the multi-faceted treatments. That's why it was essential to form a group of leading, multi-disciplinary experts from across the country to put together a roadmap for diagnosing, risk stratifying, and treating these patients."
"Children are most likely to be diagnosed with RMS at a very young age, toddlers or early elementary school," added Panel Vice-Chair Douglas Hawkins, MD, Seattle Children's. "When treating someone so young, you are not looking to just prolong survival, the goal is a full cure with minimal side effects and zero recurrence."
RMS is tricky to diagnose; it can be located almost anywhere on the body. When it presents in the head, neck, or limb, it can show up as a lump with or without pain. Other times it occurs on an internal organ, which might cause problems for breathing or urination. There are three major risk groups with varying survival rates. The intensity of the treatment, which typically includes chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy, must be tailored to the risk group as well as the age and the patient's developmental stage, which might be influenced by the treatment. The new NCCN Guidelines explain how to provide treatment in a way that balances the goal of cure with the need to minimize acute side effects, such as severe infections, and long-term effects that could bring additional problems at some point in the future.
All NCCN Guidelines are available for free download via NCCN.org or through the Virtual Library of NCCN Guidelines® App. They were downloaded more than 18.4 million times in 2025. Numerous independent studies associate guideline-concordant care with better outcomes and lower costs. Learn more at NCCN.org/guidelines.
About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) is a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education. NCCN is dedicated to defining and advancing quality, effective, equitable, and accessible cancer care and prevention so all people can live better lives. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) provide transparent, evidence-based, expert consensus-driven recommendations for cancer treatment, prevention, and supportive services; they are the recognized standard for clinical direction and policy in cancer management and the most thorough and frequently-updated clinical practice guidelines available in any area of medicine. The NCCN Guidelines for Patients® provide expert cancer treatment information to inform and empower patients and caregivers, through support from the NCCN Foundation®. NCCN also advances continuing education, global initiatives, policy, and research collaboration and publication in oncology. Visit NCCN.org for more information.
Media Contact:
Rachel Darwin
267-622-6624
darwin@nccn.org
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
New Guidelines from NCCN Detail Fundamental Differences in Cancer in Children Compared to Adults
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MURRIETA, Calif., Feb. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Copan Group announced today that PhenoMATRIX®, its automated image assessment software used with WASPLab® full laboratory automation, received FDA 510(k) clearance as a Class II device in the United States.
PhenoMATRIX is an in vitro diagnostic software that uses artificial intelligence with laboratory-defined rules and clinical information to automatically sort images of bacterial culture plates, helping laboratory professionals streamline plate review while maintaining expert oversight.
The cleared intended use includes blood-based, chocolate and MacConkey agars, as well as CHROMagar orientation culture media plates, enabling semi-quantitative and qualitative image-based analysis through detection of microbial growth, estimation of colony counts, and differentiation of isolates based on phenotypic colony characteristics.
"This clearance represents a major milestone for Copan and microbiology laboratories in the United States," said Fabrizio Mazzocchi, CEO of Copan Diagnostics. "PhenoMATRIX builds on years of scientific development and real-world data to support laboratories and the critical work they do in patient care."
While PhenoMATRIX has been used globally for years as part of Copan's full laboratory automation solutions, including automated image review and auto-release workflows outside the United States, this clearance formally establishes its intended use in the U.S., where final image assessment and result decisions are performed by trained laboratory personnel.
Importantly, the FDA-cleared intended use represents an expansion beyond single-application algorithms, supporting multiple culture media plate types and integrating image analysis with patient data to assist laboratories in clinical microbiology review.
"This achievement is the result of an extraordinary collaborative effort," added Mario Savarese, CEO of Copan WASP, Copan's automation division. "Our Regulatory, R&D, Scientific Affairs, Quality, and Commercial teams worked tirelessly to support this submission. This clearance is a testament to their dedication and Copan's long-term vision."
Copan continues to invest in future submissions to expand the scope of PhenoMATRIX across additional applications and plate types, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and partnership with the clinical microbiology community.
For more information, visit copanusa.com.
About Copan Diagnostics, Inc.
Copan Diagnostics is part of Copan Group, a leading manufacturer of collection and transport systems. Through its collaborative approach, Copan has developed breakthrough technologies such as FLOQSwabs®, ESwab®, UTM® Universal Transport Medium™, and WASPLab®, Full Laboratory Automation with Artificial Intelligence. Copan continues to innovate and transform collection and transport systems, and laboratory automation, helping healthcare providers improve patient care.
MURRIETA, Calif., Feb. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Copan Group announced today that PhenoMATRIX®, its automated image assessment software used with WASPLab® full laboratory automation, received FDA 510(k) clearance as a Class II device in the United States.
PhenoMATRIX is an in vitro diagnostic software that uses artificial intelligence with laboratory-defined rules and clinical information to automatically sort images of bacterial culture plates, helping laboratory professionals streamline plate review while maintaining expert oversight.
The cleared intended use includes blood-based, chocolate and MacConkey agars, as well as CHROMagar orientation culture media plates, enabling semi-quantitative and qualitative image-based analysis through detection of microbial growth, estimation of colony counts, and differentiation of isolates based on phenotypic colony characteristics.
"This clearance represents a major milestone for Copan and microbiology laboratories in the United States," said Fabrizio Mazzocchi, CEO of Copan Diagnostics. "PhenoMATRIX builds on years of scientific development and real-world data to support laboratories and the critical work they do in patient care."
While PhenoMATRIX has been used globally for years as part of Copan's full laboratory automation solutions, including automated image review and auto-release workflows outside the United States, this clearance formally establishes its intended use in the U.S., where final image assessment and result decisions are performed by trained laboratory personnel.
Importantly, the FDA-cleared intended use represents an expansion beyond single-application algorithms, supporting multiple culture media plate types and integrating image analysis with patient data to assist laboratories in clinical microbiology review.
"This achievement is the result of an extraordinary collaborative effort," added Mario Savarese, CEO of Copan WASP, Copan's automation division. "Our Regulatory, R&D, Scientific Affairs, Quality, and Commercial teams worked tirelessly to support this submission. This clearance is a testament to their dedication and Copan's long-term vision."
Copan continues to invest in future submissions to expand the scope of PhenoMATRIX across additional applications and plate types, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and partnership with the clinical microbiology community.
For more information, visit copanusa.com.
About Copan Diagnostics, Inc.
Copan Diagnostics is part of Copan Group, a leading manufacturer of collection and transport systems. Through its collaborative approach, Copan has developed breakthrough technologies such as FLOQSwabs®, ESwab®, UTM® Universal Transport Medium™, and WASPLab®, Full Laboratory Automation with Artificial Intelligence. Copan continues to innovate and transform collection and transport systems, and laboratory automation, helping healthcare providers improve patient care.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
FDA 510(k) Clearance Establishes Broad Intended Use for Copan's PhenoMATRIX®, Expanding Clinical Microbiology Capabilities
FDA 510(k) Clearance Establishes Broad Intended Use for Copan's PhenoMATRIX®, Expanding Clinical Microbiology Capabilities
