Rhabdomyosarcoma associated with familial adenomatous polyposis

Myogenic tumors in children and adolescents

Neoplasms of striated and smooth muscle in children are a diverse group of neoplasms that have some unique aspects in contrast to these tumors in adults. Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma of infancy and childhood and is relatively common in adolescents. In contrast, smooth muscle tumors are relatively rare, and the various types of rhabdomyoma and smooth and skeletal muscle hamartomas are very uncommon. In recent years, the understanding of the pathologic and genetic aspects of rhabdomyosarcoma has been enhanced by adjunct techniques, such as immunohistochemistry and cytogenetic or molecular genetic analysis. The current classification of rhabdomyosarcoma emphasizes the histologic-prognostic correlations. This article reviews the clinicopathologic features of striated and smooth muscle tumors with an emphasis on the unique aspects of these neoplasms in children and adolescents and the differential diagnosis.

Rare coincidence of familial adenomatous polyposis and a retroperitoneal fibromyxoid sarcoma: report of a case

PURPOSE

Familial adenomatous polyposis is an autosomal-dominant inherited disease with development of as many as thousands of adenomas within colon and rectum. All untreated patients will develop colorectal adenocarcinoma. A variety of extracolonic manifestations can occur, although malignant tumors are rare. An association of familial adenomatous polyposis and sarcomas was reported in a few cases only.

METHODS

We present the exceptional case of a 24-year-old male with genetically verified familial adenomatous polyposis (deletion of 10 base pairs at position 228-237 of exon 15A). The patient underwent prophylactic subtotal proctocolectomy and ileal-pouch rectal anastomosis in 2003. Two years later, an obstruction of the left ureter caused by a retroperitoneal mass was diagnosed.

RESULTS

Histopathologic findings after complete tumor resection showed a low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma. CT scan and clinical follow-up through 15 months postoperatively revealed no recurrent tumor growth.

CONCLUSIONS

To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of familial adenomatous polyposis with metachronous retroperitoneal fibromyxoid sarcoma. Proctocolectomy or total colectomy and complete tumor resection is the treatment of choice in this case. In addition to more common semimalignant retroperitoneal desmoid tumors in familial adenomatous polyposis patients, a malignant soft-tissue tumor also has to be considered for differential diagnosis.

Gastrointestinal polyposis in childhood: clinicopathologic and genetic features

Gastrointestinal polyps and certain extraintestinal lesions in children may herald a hereditary polyposis syndrome, with an increased risk of neoplasia and other health problems for both children and their relatives. The availability of molecular/genetic screening tests has increased early diagnosis of younger members of known polyposis families. This article reviews the gross and microscopic features of polyposis syndromes of childhood and summarizes the molecular/genetic advances in this field. Clinical management is also briefly discussed.