Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma on the external ear: a case report
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Bruce D Ragsdale1, Jessica P Lee, Jill Mines
1Western Dermatopathology Services, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA.
Insights
Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a common childhood cancer, usually affects the middle ear. This report details a rare case of rhabdomyosarcoma on the external ear, highlighting unusual presentations of this pediatric soft tissue sarcoma.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Dermatopathology
- Head and Neck Sarcomas
Background:
- Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most frequent soft tissue sarcoma in children.
- Common head and neck sites include the middle ear/temporal bone and nasopharynx.
- RMS in the 'ear' location typically refers to the middle ear.
Observation:
- This case report describes a rare instance of RMS occurring on the external ear of a young female.
- This presentation is unusual as RMS commonly affects deeper structures.
Findings:
- The tumor was located on the external ear, deviating from typical pediatric RMS head and neck sites.
- No evidence of an occult extremity or visceral tumor was found, which is often associated with cutaneous RMS.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering rare presentations of pediatric RMS.
- Emphasizes that external ear RMS may not always be associated with systemic or extremity tumors.
- Contributes to understanding the diverse clinical manifestations of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in children.
Abstract:
Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of childhood. It typically has middle ear/temporal bone and nasopharynx as its most common head and neck sites. In fact, 'middle ear' is what is meant by 'ear' location in the many reports of pediatric RMS. This case report, however, is of RMS occurring on the external ear of a young female. RMS in skin should motivate a search for an occult extremity or visceral tumor, which was not present in this case.
