Sclerosing Spindle Cell Preauricular Rhabdomyosarcoma in a 7-Year-Old Female

Abstract

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue malignancy seen in children. Approximately half of all RMS seen in the pediatric population occur in the head and neck; it is the most common malignant tumor of the aural region in childhood. There are three histological subtypes: embryonal, alveolar and pleomorphic. Sclerosing spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma (ssRMS) is subtype of the embryonal RMS seen mostly in adult males. Although embryonal RMS is common, the spindle cell variant is rare comprising only 3% of cases and is usually seen in males below the age of 7 years. This case study demonstrates sclerosing spindle cell RMS in a 7-year-old female patient presenting with an auricular mass.