Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma with multiple distal metastases. A case report and review of literature

BMJ Case Rep. 2012 Sep 3:2012:bcr2012006523. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2012-006523.

Abstract

An 18-year-old boy, presented with a history of right hip pain with movement restriction and proptosis of right eye. There was severe anaemia, febrile neutropaenia and bleeding manifestations. CT scan of right orbit documented a retro orbital mass. MRI revealed a mass on right side of the pelvis with metastatic deposits in spine. Biopsy from that mass revealed alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Bone marrow biopsy showed sarcomatous involvement with decrease in all three cell lineages. Chemotherapy was started according to standard protocol. We lost the patient after 3 weeks of initiation of chemotherapy. In our case, the unusual primary site and presentation with multiple distal metastases makes this case stand apart and therefore worth reporting.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Bone Marrow Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Bone Marrow Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Bone Marrow Neoplasms / therapy
  • Chemoradiotherapy / adverse effects
  • Disease Progression
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / pathology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Orbital Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Orbital Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Orbital Neoplasms / therapy
  • Pelvic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Pelvic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma, Alveolar / pathology*
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma, Alveolar / secondary*
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma, Alveolar / therapy
  • Spinal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Spinal Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Spinal Neoplasms / therapy