Mandibular embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma with cartilaginous metaplasia: report of a case and review of literature

Publication date: Available online 6 September 2017 Source:Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology Author(s): Scott M. Peters, Tim Kunkle, Michael A. Perrino, Elizabeth M. Philipone, Angela J. Yoon Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a malignant tumor of the skeletal muscle origin that frequently involves the head and neck region. It represents the second most common pediatric soft tissue sarcoma, and accounts for 3% of all childhood cancers. Herein, we report a case of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma presenting as a right sided facial swelling in a 7-year-old boy. Histologically, the tumor consisted of classic embryonal rhabdosarcomatous areas with metaplastic cartilage both in the initial biopsy and final resection specimen. Cartilaginous metaplasia arising in the background of RMS is a rare finding, thereby raising a diagnostic challenge. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first case of a RMS with cartilaginous metaplasia in the oral cavity.
Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology - Category: ENT & OMF Source Type: research