Congenital Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma Presenting as a Cutaneous Nodule in a Neonate

Abstract

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the commonest malignant soft tissue sarcoma affecting children. It originates from the embryonic mesenchyme precursor of striated muscle and involves the head and neck region as a solitary or multiple skin lesion. A 20-day-old female neonate presented with a cutaneous nodule over left shoulder. Hematoxylin and eosin staining on the biopsy specimen showed malignant small round cell tumor. Immunohistochemistry studies were positive for myogenin (nuclear positivity) and desmin (cytoplasmic positivity). Presentation in the neonatal period is rare and poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The management involves complete excision of the tumor followed by chemotherapy.




Int J Clin Pediatr. 2016;5(3-4):47-50
doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/ijcp254e