Pathologic quiz case: an 11-year-old boy with cervical lymphadenopathy. Metastatic malignant extrarenal rhabdoid tumor

Extradural malignant rhabdoid tumor of the spine in children: A case-based review

BACKGROUND

Extradural malignant rhabdoid tumors of the spine are highly malignant and invasive tumors (WHO grade IV) with poor prognosis, most frequently occurring in young children before 2 years of age. Pain and motor deficit are the most common presenting signs.

CASE DESCRIPTION

We report a case of a 2-year-old girl presenting with axial ataxia and paraparesis related to an extradural malignant rhabdoid tumor causing posterior thoracic spinal cord compression (D3-D6). She underwent two near-total removal of the tumor, adjuvant chemotherapy according to the Eu-Rhab protocol and proton beam therapy. She then developed multiple cranial nerve paresis (meningeal carcinomatosis) after 4 cycles of chemotherapy and died at 4.32 months of follow-up.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The role of the PET scan was essential to guide us to remove a residue, while two concomitant spinal MRIs were considered negative. We reviewed the 16 cases reported in the literature. Multiple surgeries and radiotherapy seem to be correlated with longer survival. No child younger than 2 years old had a documented survival higher than 4.32 months.

Extra-renal rhabdoid tumor in an adult presenting as cervical adenopathy with spondylodiscitis

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Rhabdoid tumor (RT) is among the most aggressive and lethal types of cancer. It most commonly arises in the central nervous system, kidney, or soft tissues. It typically affects young children.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a case of a 21 years old man with an extrarenal rhabdoid tumor (ERRT) in the neck extending to the vertebra and epidural space. Clinical presentation was at first misleading as it presented as infectious spondylodiscitis with cervical adenopathies. The patient developed quadriplegia a few days after biopsy was taken and succumbed to his disease a week later.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

The diagnosis of MRT is mainly based on histopathology, immunohistochemistry and molecular studies. Loss of INI1 expression due to biallelic mutation of the SMARCB1 gene is characteristic. Because of the lack of standardized treatment protocols for MRT, various combinations of chemotherapeutic drugs are used. However, prognosis remains poor especially for cervical vertebral localization as it results in a rapid fatal outcome secondary to respiratory failure.

CONCLUSION

SMARCB1-related biology and potential therapeutic targets are the main focus of preclinical investigations that aim to expand treatment options and improve patient's survival.

Clinical diagnostic and radiographic features of primary spinal atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors tumor in a pediatric patient: A case report and review of the literature

Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRTs) are rare embryonal tumors comprising 1-2% of all pediatric CNS neoplasms. Spinal ATRTs are even more uncommon, accounting for 2% of all reported ATRT cases. Despite their rarity, ATRTs affect young children disproportionately and are characterized by a high malignant potential due to a heterogeneous cellular composition and inactivating mutations in the SMARCB1 (90%) and SMARCA4 (10%) genes. A 15-month-old female presented with a 2-week history of decreased lower extremity movement and new-onset need for assistance with ambulation. MRI lumbar spine revealed a contrast-enhancing intradural mass at the L3-L4 level with iso-intensity on T1 and T2 sequences. The patient subsequently underwent subtotal tumor resection (∼80%) given concerns for maintaining neurological function. Final pathology was consistent with spinal ATRT, and she later underwent adjuvant chemoradiation therapy per ACNS0333 protocol. She has since remained in remission with age-appropriate developmental milestones over the past 2 years. ATRTs should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intradural spinal lesions, especially in the pediatric patient population. Clinical course, presentation, and diagnosis is often delayed due to the rarity of these tumors, but contrasted craniospinal MRI is key for diagnosis and histopathology with IHC staining showing loss of INI is confirmatory. While gross total resection is the goal, maximal safe tumor resection should be prioritized in order to preserve neurological function. Adjuvant chemoradiation following gross total/subtotal resection has been shown to significantly improve overall survival.

Malignant rhabdoid tumor of the floor of mouth: first reported case in the oral cavity of an adult

Malignant rhabdoid tumors (MRTs) are exceedingly rare lesions. To our knowledge, only 2 cases have been reported in the oral cavity, with both examples occurring in infants. The current case is the third reported case of MRT of the oral cavity and the first reported case to occur in an adult at this location. The following report describes the clinical, histologic and immunohistochemical features of this tumor.