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Case Reports
. 2024 May 16;12(14):2396-2403.
doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v12.i14.2396.

Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma of the vagina: A case report

Pan Xu  1   2 , Shan-Shan Ling  1 , E Hu  1 , Bi-Xia Yi  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma of the vagina: A case report

Pan Xu et al. World J Clin Cases. .

Abstract

Background: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) of the vagina in postmenopausal women is an extremely rare malignant tumor that was originally described as a unique group of soft tissue sarcomas originating from primitive mesenchymal cells. It was first reported in postmenopausal women in 1970, and fewer than 50 postmenopausal patients have been reported to date.

Case summary: A 68-year-old multiparous female was admitted to the hospital on October 11, 2023, with the chief complaint of a mass causing vaginal prolapse with incomplete urination that had persisted for 4 months. The vaginal mass was approximately the size of a pigeon egg; after lying down, the vaginal mass retracted. Complete resection was performed, and vaginal pleomorphic RMS was diagnosed based on pathology and immunohistochemical staining features. The patient is currently undergoing chemotherapy. The present study also reviewed the clinical, histological, and immunohistochemical features and latest treatment recommendations for vaginal RMS. Any abnormal vaginal mass should be promptly investigated through pelvic examination and appropriate imaging. The current initial treatment for vaginal RMS is biopsy and primary chemotherapy.

Conclusion: When surgery is planned for vaginal RMS, an organ-preserving approach should be considered.

Keywords: Case report; Pleomorphic; Postmenopausal woman; Rhabdomyosarcoma; Vagina.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest in relation to this case report.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Ultrasound showing a solid mass of 3.2 cm × 2.9 cm in size involving the posterior urethra (orange arrow).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Gross pathological picture of the patient’s vaginal pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma. A: The size of the vaginal mass was approximately 32 mm × 30 mm × 30 mm; B: Gross pathological picture of the vaginal mass, which had no obvious capsule, was pale red with a medium texture, and resembled a uterine leiomyoma. Below, is the 1 cm portion of the vaginal wall that was adjacent to the tumor.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Hematoxylin and Shuhon stains. Original magnification of × 200.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Immunohistochemical analysis of vimentin. Original magnification of × 100. Brown indicates tumor cell cytoplasm and blue indicates tumor cell nucleus with Shuhon staining; thus, deeper brown coloration indicates greater expression of cytoplasmic vimentin.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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