Treatment of primary malignant rhabdoid tumor of the brain: report of three cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Purpose: Primary malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT) of the central nervous system is an extremely aggressive tumor predominantly related to early childhood, with characteristic histopathological findings but unclear histogenesis. Owing to its low incidence, little knowledge exists concerning the best therapeutic strategy.

Methods and materials: Three children of our hospital with MRT of the brain underwent a maximum tumor resection followed by multidrug chemotherapy and radiation therapy to the craniospinal axis.

Results: Relapse was disseminated along the spinal subarachnoid spaces in one child and occurred at the primary tumor site in the other two patients. Maximum survival was 15 months from diagnosis.

Conclusion: A review of patients reported in the literature and a comparison to our patients reveals a high propensity to early local relapse and meningeal dissemination. In the absence of more effective therapeutic options, we recommend multidisciplinary treatment of patients in good general condition and with resectable disease. In particular, following radiation therapy, tumor remissions and delay of tumor regrowth have been observed.