PARATESTICULAR RHABDOMYOSARCOMA

CT and ultrasound imaging of pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma in children. A review of 56 patients

We have retrospectively reviewed the radiographic and clinical features of 56 cases of pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma seen in three Pediatric Hospitals between 1960 and 1986. There were 35 boys and 21 girls. The study aimed at better defining the role played by the various imaging techniques in the investigation of these tumors. The role of diagnostic radiology is the detection and delineation of the primary tumor, its local spread and distant metastases at the time of diagnosis and on follow-ups. Intravenous urography (IVU) and to a lesser extent barium enema (BE) and cystography (VCUG) were used even after the availability of ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography (CT). These two modalities have only partly replaced the traditional radiographic techniques. All patients seen or followed after 1977 (28 patients) had both US and CT examinations. We have focused our discussion on these relatively new imaging modalities namely US and CT. Magnetic resonance was not utilized in any patient in this series. US was by far the best imaging technique available for lesions of the urinary bladder and those invading the bladder wall in children as it was possible to visualize, measure and follow these tumors. Scrotal US was used to confirm the clinical diagnosis of a paratesticular mass. CT showed to best advantage the tumour and its relationship to pelvic organs, musculature and bones.

Role of the surgeon in the treatment of children's cancer

The management of children's tumors has changed significantly in the past several years. New techniques and combined surgical, chemotherapeutic, and radiation approaches are responsible for improved survival in most instances. Cooperation of the surgeon with the specialists in separate disciplines is imperative to continued advancements in neoplastic disease of childhood.

Diagnosis and behavior of juvenile rhabdomyosarcoma

The main problems in the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma are 1) distinction of undifferentiated examples from other small cell malignancies, especially soft-tissue Ewing's tumor and lymphoma; 2) distinction of spindling examples from fibrosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, polyhistioma, and other sarcomas; 3) recognition of minimal criteria on small samples such as needle biopsy specimens or frozen sections; and 4) recognition of rhabdomyosarcoma in uncommon sites such as bone (mandible), perineum, retroperitoneum, and chest. In 95 pediatric cases diagnosed and treated at Royal Alexandria Hospital for Children--45 after the introduction of combined therapy--minimal diagnostic criteria were assessed. Cross-striations were found in only one third of cases; longitudinal myofibrils were more common and more helpful. There was much overlap between histologic types, and the microscopic patterns had little bearing on prognoses in preadolescent children. Fourteen cases could not be further differentiated ("embryonal sarcoma, probably rhabdomyosarcoma")--nine small-cell tumors; four tumors from genitourinary tract or head for which very small biopsy specimens were available, and one spindling retroperitoneal neoplasm. In all, slight evidence suggested embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma; this evidence included oat-shaped nuclei and, in a few cells, deeply eosinophilic cytoplasm, small elongated processes, or myxoid or alveolar foci--features that exclude lymphoma and Ewing's tumor. In six cases that were originally classified as poorly differentiated or undifferentiated, later material confirmed the presence of rhabdomyosarcoma by showing a predominantly well-differentiated (pleomorphic) or alveolar pattern after therapy. In 14 remaining undifferentiated cases, immunoperoxidase staining with antihuman-myoglobin serum was positive in five. With combined therapy there was 100 per cent survival among patients with paratesticular, limb, and stage I and stage II tumors; considerably improved survival among patients with head and neck, pelvic, and stage III tumors; and 100 per cent mortality among patients with intra-abdominal and stage IV tumors.

Genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue malignant neoplasm involving the pelvis of children. Debate still exists over whether the best treatment is pelvic exenteration, radiation and chemotherapy or chemotherapy as the cornerstone to treatment, with diminished needs for extensive surgery and prolonged radiotherapy. Contrariwise, there is little debate over the combined treatment modality for paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma. We have evaluated and treated 19 children with rhabdomyosarcoma, including 17 with pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma and 2 with paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma. This retrospective study was done to evaluate treatment regimens for patients with genitourinary rhabdomyosarcoma. For patients with pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma the study was divided into 2 series. In an early series 6 of 7 children had a pelvic exenteration with or without chemotherapy. Of these 7 children 3 are well 15 to 27 years following diagnosis. In a later series of 10 children, when chemotherapy was used more commonly, none underwent pelvic exenteration. Of these 10 patients 7 had chemotherapy or chemotherapy and biopsy only. Only 1 child, who presented with stage IV disease, died in this series. Another child with stage III disease had progressive disease despite chemotherapy and subsequent cystoprostatectomy. Thus, of 9 remaining patients 8 are well from 1 to 8 years. It appears that pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma can be treated effectively with chemotherapy, and limited surgery and radiation. Fortunately, pelvic exenteration can now be limited to a select few.

Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma in childhood

The clinical and morphologic features of 18 patients with paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma are reviewed. Although medical attention was sought frequently within 2 months the lesion was mistaken initially for other more common scrotal conditions in more than a third of the patients, delaying a correct diagnosis for 3 weeks to 4 months. Half of the patients had retroperitoneal lymph node metastases. However, with multimodal therapy 61 per cent remain free of disease at a median of 6 years from diagnosis.

Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma in an adult

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma is a common tumor of children, rarely appearing in the scrotum from tunica vaginalis or paratesticular tissues. In adults it is rare and carries a particularly bad prognosis. A case of paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma occurring in a seventy-three-year-old man who survived a total of five and one-half years from the time of his original operation, is presented.

Intrascrotal rhabdomyosarcoma

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most frequent spermatic cord tumor of infants, children, and young adults, but also occurs as a primary tumor in the testis, epididumis, and testicular tunics. In the last fifteen years, 7 patients with intrascrotal rhabdomyosarcoma were treated at our institution, and an additional 155 cases were found on review of the English literature. On the basis of these 162 cases, incidence and survival statistics were calculated with particular attention to employed forms of therapy. An over-all survival of greater than 73 per cent should be obtainable with proper utilization of surgery, radiation therapy, and combination chemotherapy.

Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma in children

The clinical characteristics, surgical treatment, clinical grouping, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, complications and survival of paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma are discussed. When the combined approach of radical inguinal orchiectomy, retroperitoneal node dissection, chemotherapy and radiotherapy when indicated is used a survivorship in excess of 80 per cent can be anticipated for all stages of disease. A combined multidisciplinary approach to this lesion is stressed to achieve improved survivorship in this previously lethal lesion.

Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcomas and leiomyosarcomas: a clinicopathological review

One case of embryonal paratesticular sarcoma and 2 cases of leiomyosarcomas are reported. The 13-year-old boy with embryonal sarcoma is well after an orchiectomy and high ligation of the spermatic cord followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A 66-year-old man has been doing well after orchiectomy and hemiscrotectomy for a paratesticular leiomyosarcoma. The third patient had a highly pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma and died 2 months postoperatively. The clinical and histological diagnosis of paratesticular rhabdomyosarcomas and leiomyosarcomas is reviewed and the various therapeutic approaches to these neoplasms are discussed. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are important adjuncts to orchiectomy in the management of rhabdomyosarcomas. On the contrary, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and radiotherapy are not indicated in leiomyosarcomas, since these neoplasms tend to metastasize by the hematogenous route and are radioresistant. At the present time we are unable to evaluate chemotherapy in the management of paratesticular leiomyosarcomas.

Paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma in childhood

The paratesticular region was the primary site in 20 of 289 children (7%) entered on the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study. The 20 patients were 1.7- to 19-years-old at diagnosis. Fifteen underwent retroperitoneal node dissection (12) or biopsy (3), and 6/15 (40%) had nodal involvement by tumor. Nineteen of the 20 patients had no gross local or metastatic disease after surgery. All 20 received chemotherapy, and 13 also received radiotherapy. Treatment was effective: 16 of 18 evaluable patients (89%) were free of disease at a median of 23 months from diagnosis (range, 8-43 months). Since the incidence of tumor-involved retroperitoneal nodes is high, a dissection should be performed. If the nodes are free of tumor, retroperitoneal radiotherapy may not be necessary. Reduction of morbidity in patients with paratesticular rhabdomyosarcoma is desirable, because the disease has a good prognosis.

Clinical management of non-testicular intrascrotal tumors

Our 10-year experience with non-testicular intrascrotal tumors has been combined with an extensive survey of the literature. The over-all incidence of malignancy affecting intrascrotal structures is high: 1) 25 per cent of epididymal neoplasms are malignant, 2) excluding cord lipomas, 56 per cent of cord tumors are malignant and 3) 59 per cent of scrotal tunic neoplasms are of malignant origin. Because of the high incidence of malignancy and because tumors of these structures are often misdiagnosed, a clinical approach to the diagnosis and management of non-testicular intrascrotal masses is presented.

Embryonic rhabdomyosarcoma of the urogenital tract

Forty-two cases of embryonic rhabdomyosarcoma of the urogenital tract are reviewed. Their distribution, modes of presentation, clinical features, surgical management, and prognosis are discussed.

Intrascrotal sarcomas

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