[Prostatic rhabdomyosarcoma in adults]

To report on two adult patients with prostatic embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. The literature is briefly reviewed and the clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of this unusual variety of prostate cancer are discussed.

Two patients, aged 27 and 34 years, with prostatic embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma are presented. Both cases showed tumor dissemination at the time of diagnosis. Both patients received chemotherapy.

A 60% reduction in tumor volume was achieved in one patient, who subsequently underwent rescue surgery and, in spite of a recurrence, is still alive 3 years after the diagnosis. The other patient showed no response to chemotherapy. He refused rescue surgery and was lost to follow-up.

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the prostate in the adult is an unusual and aggressive tumor, of rapid growth and progression. Early diagnosis and treatment without delay by radical surgery and chemotherapy are essential to improve the prognosis of this disease.