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Exceptional case of a hemangioma-like rabdomyosarcoma in the hand's palm
Hassnae Tkak1, Ayad Ghanam1, Mohamed Belahcen2
1Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Mohamed VI, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohamed first Oujda, Oujda, Morocco.
Insights
Pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma in the hand can mimic benign tumors like hemangioma. Early diagnosis and radical surgical excision are crucial for this rare but aggressive childhood cancer.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric oncology
- Surgical pathology
- Pediatric surgery
Background:
- Rhabdomyosarcoma is a malignant pediatric tumor.
- It can present atypically, mimicking benign conditions.
- Hand rhabdomyosarcoma is rare with a poor prognosis.
Observation:
- An infant presented with a palm mass.
- Initial clinical and radiological findings suggested a vascular tumor (hemangioma).
- The mass was surgically resected.
Findings:
- Histological analysis confirmed embryonic rhabdomyosarcoma.
- Immunohistochemistry supported the diagnosis.
- The case highlights diagnostic challenges in differentiating from hemangioma.
Implications:
- Emphasizes the need for thorough histopathological examination of surgical specimens.
- Highlights the importance of considering rare malignancies in pediatric differential diagnoses.
- Underscores the critical role of radical surgical excision in managing pediatric hand rhabdomyosarcoma.
Abstract:
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a malignant tumor in children that might mimic a benign tumor, such as infantile hemangioma, particularly when detected early. Although rhabdomyosarcoma rarely occurs in the hand, its prognosis is generally poor, and successful treatment relies on a complete and radical surgical excision. We present a case of rhabdomyosarcoma located in the palm of an infant's hand, initially presenting clinical and radiological features suggestive of a vascular tumor. The resection of this mass was radical, and histological analysis and immunohistochemistry returned in favor of embryonic rhabdomyosarcoma. In similar cases recorded in the literature, the diagnosis may be first mistaken for that of a hemangioma, then confirmed by histology. This underlines the importance of a systematic anatomopathological examination of all tissues removed surgically.
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