Unusual case of congenital/infantile fibrosarcoma in a new born

Eddiba Tarik1, Rouas Lamiae, Amrani Abdelouahed

  • 1Department of Pediatric Orthopedic and Traumatology, Children's Hospital of Rabat and the Unity of Teaching and Research in Pediatric Surgery, Rabat, Morocco.

Insights

Congenital infantile fibrosarcoma (CIFS) is a rare pediatric tumor. This case highlights an unusual neonatal presentation mimicking hemangioma, successfully treated with amputation after chemotherapy failure.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Surgical Pathology
  • Neonatal Medicine

Background:

  • Congenital infantile fibrosarcoma (CIFS) is a rare soft tissue tumor predominantly affecting infants under five years old.
  • CIFS typically presents in distal extremities but can occur in unusual locations like the retroperitoneum or lungs.
  • While generally having a good prognosis, CIFS in newborns is exceptionally rare.

Observation:

  • A case of CIFS in a neonate presented atypically, mimicking a hemangioma and causing significant neonatal hemorrhage.
  • The tumor was located in the left arm and axilla and was associated with a congenital hand malformation.
  • Initial chemotherapy treatment for the infant failed to resolve the tumor.

Findings:

  • Despite chemotherapy failure, the infant underwent a shoulder amputation for tumor removal.
  • The infant is currently two years old and shows no signs of tumor recurrence.
  • This case underscores the importance of considering rare diagnoses in neonatal presentations.

Implications:

  • This case expands the known clinical spectrum of congenital infantile fibrosarcoma.
  • It highlights the challenges in diagnosing and managing rare neonatal tumors.
  • Early and aggressive surgical intervention may be crucial for favorable outcomes in complex CIFS cases.

Related Concept Videos

The Retinoblastoma Gene01:20

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer01:03

Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer

Rous Sarcoma virus or RSV was discovered by F. Peyton Rous in the year 1911 as a filterable transmissible agent that could cause tumors in chickens. He won a Nobel Prize for this discovery in 1966. His experiments clearly demonstrated that some cancers could be caused by infectious agents and led to the discovery of many more cancer-causing viruses in animals as well as humans.
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand  RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
Introduction to Fibroblasts01:09

Introduction to Fibroblasts

Rudolph Virchow discovered spindle-shaped cells called fibroblasts in 1858. Inactive fibroblasts, called fibrocytes, become activated by various stimuli, such as growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. Activated fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing, inflammation, formation of new blood vessels, and cancer progression. Uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts results in fibrosis, the excess deposition of fibrous tissue, which can lead to scarring and affect normal organs. This...