An Adult Case of Ruptured Huge Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma of the Pelvis

Akimitsu Yamada, Mitsuyoshi Ota, Yasuhiko Nagano, Syoichi Fujii, Chikara Kunisaki, Akinori Nozawa¹⁾ and Itaru Endo²⁾

Department of Gastroenterological Surgery and Department of Pathology¹⁾, Yokohama Medical Center
Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Yokohama City University Hospital²⁾

Adult rhabdomyosarcoma rupture is rare. A 21-year-old man seen for abdominal pain and constipation was found in abdominal computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to have a large pelvic tumor with abdominal pain and distension rapidly worsening. CT showed considerable ascites and laboratory findings indicated anemia. In emergency surgery based on a diagnosis of tumor rupture, we found intraabdominal hemorrhaging and mucinous discharge and conducted abdominoperineal resection. Parts of the tumor adhering to the prostate and urinary bladder had to remain in the abdomen. The histopathological diagnosis was embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. One month after surgery, metastases detected in the liver and lung have completely disappeared after chemotherapy and radiation. At present, 15 months after surgery, the man remains alive without disease recurrence.

Key words
rhabdomyosarcoma, embryonal type, rupture

Reprint requests
Akimitsu Yamada Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine
3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004 JAPAN

Accepted
March 24, 2010

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