Disseminated histiocytic sarcoma in a child: a clinicopathological dichotomy with 8 years survival

A 3-year-old girl presented with a non-healing ulcer, originating as a pustule over the right anterior chest wall of 1½ month duration associated with high fever. A subcutaneous nodule along with right apical and anterior axillary lymph nodes was palpable. Abdominal ultrasound and chest skiagram were normal. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) from the axillary lymph node was suggestive of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Bone marrow aspirate was normal. The ulcer and subcutaneous nodule were excised completely with adequate margins. Histopathological examinations were compatible with malignancy of histiocytic origin with clear resected margins. The axillary nodes were free of tumour. Adjuvant chemotherapy was given for 13 months. The patient is doing well at 8 years follow-up.