Obstet Gynecol Sci.  2021 Mar;64(2):234-238. 10.5468/ogs.20127.

Uterine alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in an elderly patient manifesting extremely poor prognosis; a rare subtype of rhabdomyosarcoma

• Choi H
• Lee H
• Kim HS
• Han JY
• Chun KC

• KMID: 2513953
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5468/ogs.20127

Abstract

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) arising in the corpus uteri is an extremely rare condition with exceptionally rapid progression and poor prognosis. Furthermore, ARMS is primarily diagnosed in the pediatric population. Due to rarity of the disease, there are no standard treatment guidelines. A 90-year-old woman was presented with a huge pelvic mass causing dyspnea and abdominal distension. The patient underwent debulking surgery and was diagnosed with uterine ARMS by fresh specimen biopsy. Despite intensive postoperative care, the patient died on the eighth postoperative day. Here, we report a case of uterine ARMS that will add to our understanding of this exceptionally rare type of tumor.

Keyword

Endometrium; Neoplasm; Rhabdomyosarcoma; Uterus

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Computed tomography ([A-C] with enlarged lymph nodes marked with yellow arrow). Magnetic resonance imaging (D-F) and positron emission tomography (G-I) of the patient showing uterine mass approximately 19 cm with enlarged para-aortic and multiple pelvic lymph nodes.

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  Fig. 2. Histopathology shows a papillary growth pattern and several necrotic spots (A; hematoxylin and eosin [H&E], x100); poorly differentiated cells with irregular alveolar spaces (yellow arrows, B) (H&E, x40); multinucleated giant cells (yellow arrow) in the alveolar spaces with frequent mitotic changes within the nuclei (C) (H&E, x400), and immunoperoxidase staining positive for desmin, indicating rhabdomyoblasts (D) (desmin, x200).

Reference

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