Cutaneous Pleomorphic Rhabdomyosarcoma Occurring on Sun-Damaged Skin: A Case Report. (August 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Jing J.; Forstner, Dion; Henderson, Christopher
• Is Part Of: American journal of dermatopathology. Volume 37:Number 8(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-08
• Subjects: rhabdomyosarcoma -- rhabdoid -- electron microscopy -- skin -- sun damage; Skin -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Histology, Pathological -- Periodicals; 616.50705
• DOI: 10.1097/DAD.0000000000000191
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0193-1091

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a malignant soft tissue tumor with skeletal muscle differentiation that can rarely present as a primary cutaneous tumor. There are 3 main subtypes of RMS: embryonal, alveolar, and pleomorphic. Primary cutaneous pleomorphic RMS is extremely rare, there being only 9 reported cases in the literature, 2 of which are radiation induced. We present a case of primary pleomorphic RMS occurring on the sun-damaged skin of the face of an 89-year-old woman. The tumor was diagnosed by histology, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy. The patient was treated by surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy. The tumor recurred rapidly after surgical excision. She died 2 months after the diagnosis from complications of treatment, local symptoms of tumor, and concurrent illnesses. Primary cutaneous pleomorphic RMS is a rare tumor of adults and pursues an aggressive clinical course.