[Rhabdomyosarcoma of the prostate. Diagnostic course and current therapy. Report of a case of a 17-year-old boy]

The authors report a case of rhabdomyosarcoma in a 17 year old boy which recurred after combination chemotherapy and radical prostatectomy, followed by death of the patient due to haematological complications of second-line chemotherapy. The diagnosis of these rhabdomyosarcomas is facilitated by the various immunohistochemical stains now available. Chemotherapy is undeniably effective and, combined with surgery and radiotherapy, ensures a 5-year survival of 47% to 93% depending on the stage. The first-line chemotherapy avoids the need for radiotherapy in the early stages and allows less mutilating surgical procedures, while maintaining the survival rate.