Abstract
Botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma is an aggressive malignancy that arises from embryonal rhabdomyoblasts. It is commonly seen in the genital tract of female infants and young children. Due to the young age of affected patients, this malignancy poses a management challenge as the preservation of hormonal, sexual and reproductive function is essential. There is currently no consensus regarding management. However, treatment strategies for these tumours have evolved from radical exenterative surgeries to more conservative management options. We report a case of botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma in an adolescent girl presenting to Kasturba Hospital, in Manipal, India, in August 2007 with botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma of the cervix. She was treated with surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. The patient remained healthy until eight months after the surgery. After acquiring a varicella zoster virus infection, she died due to septic shock and multiple organ failure. Awareness of such an uncommon lesion and its clinical implications is important to avoid misdiagnosis.
Highlights
Case ReportIn August 2007, a 14-year-old female was referred to Kasturba Hospital, a university hospital in Manipal, India, for treatment and management of botryoid RMS of the cervix
Botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma is an aggressive malignancy that arises from embryonal rhabdomyoblasts
We report a case of botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma in an adolescent girl presenting to Kasturba Hospital, in Manipal, India, in August 2007 with botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma of the cervix
Summary
In August 2007, a 14-year-old female was referred to Kasturba Hospital, a university hospital in Manipal, India, for treatment and management of botryoid RMS of the cervix An examination under anaesthesia revealed a reddish, smooth, glistening, polypoidal mass connected to the cervix by a thin pedicle. The fornices and both parametria were free of tumours. She appeared to be healthy until approximately eight months after surgery, when she acquired a varicella zoster virus infection while undergoing chemotherapy. This later progressed to pneumonia and septicaemia. She was transferred to an intensive care unit where she died due to septic shock and multiple organ failure
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