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Rhabdomyosarcoma is a cancer of primitive muscle cells, and occurs primarily in children and adolescents. Rhabdomyosarcoma accounts for 5 to 10 percent of all solid tumors in childhood. In adults, soft tissue tumors represent only one percent of all cancers, and rhabdomyosarcomas account for only three percent of these. The most common site for the occurrence of a rhabdomyosarcoma is the head or neck. The genitourinary tract, trunk and extremities, and behind the peritoneum, are also common sites. When the cancer spreads, the most likely targets are the lungs, bone, bone marrow, and liver. However, in the case of a 36-year-old man, the only site of rhabdomyosarcoma was a testis. The man was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma within the sinuses of the skull. He was treated aggressively with chemotherapy, and achieved complete remission. Fourteen months later, the patient complained of a swollen testis; ultrasonography revealed a solid mass. The testis was removed almost immediately. Prophylactic chemotherapy was also given, although no other signs of cancer could be found. Histologic examination confirmed the testicular mass to be rhabdomyosarcoma. This is the first reported instance of a rhabdomyosarcoma within the testis itself, although some have been reported next to the testes. It is not yet known whether the occurrence of the testicular relapse is an isolate event or whether it presages the appearance of disseminated disease in other parts of the body as well. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Polyurethanes are extremely versatile materials which can be manufactured in different forms ranging from thermosets to thermoplastics. Manufacture under different processing conditions makes them suitable for a wide range of applications in the automotive industry, varying from flexible foams to elastomers to coatings. Appropriate use of stabilizers is not only essential for Polyurethanes to endure processing but also adds value to these Polymers and helps preserve their properties during the final article lifetime in the different applications. Automotive global trends like light weight, low emissions, durability as well as performance pose more and more challenges to Polymers to be used in interiors as well as in exterior applications. The object of this paper is to illustrate through case studies how innovative stabilization systems can enhance properties of Polyurethanes after synthesis, processing and how they enable them to fulfill the more and more stringent requirements of the automotive industry. Three Case Studies will be presented: • Case Study 1: New challenges in emission levels for automotive interior parts • Case Study 2: Gas fading in Polyurethane applications • Case study 3: Tailor made stabilization for TPU-based for side-impact protectors and interior parts as alternative to soft lacks or chlorinated skin surface for instrument panels All the factors mentioned above can generate Polymer degradation, which will affect the final article properties. For this reason the use of stabilizers protecting the Polymer from degradation is key in order to preserve and possibly enhance its properties throughout its whole life timel. Stabilizers fulfill different roles which can be generally categorized as follow: Enable production of a polymer or compound: by means of antioxidants and process stabilizers the synthesis of Polymers and their processing can be carried out avoiding degradation. Chain terminators are essential to control the molecular weight of Polymers synthesized via polymerization where radical initiators are used. Maintain and enhance properties throughout service life: by using thermal and light stabilizers the polymer degradation upon exposure to heat and light can be controlled and avoided throughout the whole service life of the Polymer final article. Extend performance profile of a polymer or compound: the use of surface modifiers (anti-scratch agents), modifiers of electrical properties (anti-dust agents), morphology modifiers (nucleators) and flame retardants confer new properties to the polymer based on the requirements to be fulfilled from the final article. The following case studies will illustrate how stabilizers can maintain and enhance properties of Polyurethanes used in automotive interior and exterior parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]