Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the prostate: Clinico-pathological highlights with review of literature

Abstract

Abstract Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the third most common extra-cranial sarcoma occurring in childhood, adolescents, and young adults (AYAs); and is rare in adults. Literature about RMS mainly considers RMS in AYAs, either with that in the children or adults, even though histological, molecular, and clinical characteristics of RMS in AYAs are significantly different from either of the two. Herein, we report a case of prostatic embryonal RMS, in a 17-year-old boy, along with the review of literature of prostatic RMS, with emphasis on AYAs. Our patient presented with clinical complaints of acute urinary retention, Grade IV prostatomegaly and, low serum prostate-specific-antigen (0.11ng/dl). The diagnosis was clinched by prostatic biopsy, which revealed diffuse ‘small round blue cell’ tumour admixed with larger rhabdomyoblasts, displaying positivity for desmin and myogenin, on immunohistochemistry. Clinicians should be mindful that RMS is found in all age groups ranging from childhood to adults; however, the clinical, histological, and molecular features are different. RMS in AYAs is often treated according to the guidelines provided for the paediatric age group. Treatment mostly comprises a multimodality approach, including surgery with/without chemo- and radiotherapy. Prognosis in AYAs is worse than in children but is better than in adults. Thus, early diagnosis gains utmost importance to provide comparatively more probability of rendering treatment and, hopefully, a better quality of life.