Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma of the female genitalia

Eight cases of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma of the female genitalia were diagnosed from 1963 to 1983 at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Hospital. The primary sites were vulva in two, perineum in five, and broad ligament in one patient. When possible, therapy was initiated with local tumor excision (five patients). Surgery was followed by local or regional radiation (six patients) and chemotherapy (seven patients). Of the eight patients, five died within 9 months, one died 27 months after diagnosis, and only two are 5-year survivors. The aggressive behavior of this tumor is evidenced by autopsy findings of widespread metastases. Metastatic disease to the bone was present in four patients and to the breast in three patients. Local disease was controlled in two patients who died of distant metastases. Current therapy recommendations include excisional surgery, local radiation, and combination chemotherapy. A need for more effective chemotherapeutic programs is evident.