Rhabdomyosarcoma in Adults: Case Series and Literature Review

Abstract

Rhabdomyosarcoma, a common soft tissue malignant tumor in children and adolescents, is exceedingly rare in adults. Nevertheless, The outcome in adults is very poor, especially when compared to outcomes in children in whom significant improvements in treatment has been achieved. The first case was of a 24-year-old pregnant Chinese woman with a rare primary site of rhabdomyosarcoma in the perineal body. She presented with a perineal mass and was diagnosed during the second trimester of pregnancy, which is a very rare occurrence. The second case was a 70-year-old Chinese woman who suffered from right lower abdominal pain for 1 month and was misdiagnosed with an epithelial ovarian carcinoma. Mesenteric pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma was later confirmed by postoperative pathology. Both cases had undergone preoperative examination with chest and abdominal computed tomography (CT) and pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations, as well as examination of complete blood count, liver panel, renal panel, and serum tumor markers. Diagnosis was based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. The patient in the first case received chemotherapy after which the mass decreased in size; however, the patient was lost to follow-up. The second case underwent tumor resection and received chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Baseline Characteristics, Prognostic Factors, and Treatment Outcomes for Adult Patients With Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS)

“…Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is common in children and adolescents as compared to adults [ 15 ]. Because of its rare occurrence in adults, and clinical and biological heterogeneity, it is usually difficult to diagnose [ 16 ]. Its relative rarity in adult population and limited data on management of this disease make it necessary that adult patients with RMS be managed by specialist of this disease.…”

Atypical chest pain and haemoptysis as the initial presentation of spindle rhabdomyosarcoma in elderly smoker man

“…Local tumour control is done with surgical resection, if feasible, and/or radiotherapy or chemotherapy regimens such as VAC (vincristine, actinomycin D and cyclophosphamide) or IVA (ifosfamide, vincristine and actinomycin D). Ionising radiation can be used to decrease the disease recurrence rates, especially when complete resection is not feasible and is often indicated in higher-stage classifications 1 3 4. Prognosis varies, with adults generally exhibiting poorer outcomes compared with children, attributed to factors such as multidrug resistance and reduced tolerance to intensive therapies, although specific mechanisms remain unknown 1 3 4…”

“…Ionising radiation can be used to decrease the disease recurrence rates, especially when complete resection is not feasible and is often indicated in higher-stage classifications 1 3 4. Prognosis varies, with adults generally exhibiting poorer outcomes compared with children, attributed to factors such as multidrug resistance and reduced tolerance to intensive therapies, although specific mechanisms remain unknown 1 3 4…”

Complete mimicry: Rhabdomyosarcoma with FUS::TFCP2 fusion masquerading as carcinoma—diagnostic challenge and report of two cases

“…Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) are malignant mesenchymal tumors with skeletal muscle differentiation 1 . The current 2020 WHO classification of tumors of soft tissue and bone subdivides RMS according to their morphology into alveolar, embryonal, pleomorphic, and spindle cell/sclerosing RMS (ssRMS) 2 .…”

“…Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) are malignant mesenchymal tumors with skeletal muscle differentiation. 1 The current 2020 WHO classification of tumors of soft tissue and bone subdivides RMS according to their morphology into alveolar, embryonal, pleomorphic, and spindle cell/sclerosing RMS (ssRMS). 2 Recent advances in molecular genetic diagnostics have made it possible to identify new RMS subgroups within the traditional morphological entities.…”