Rhabdomyosarcoma of the spermatic cord. A case report with review of the literature

Abstract

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor that may occur in the spermatic cord in childhood. So far, 62 cases have been reported in the English literature. We describe a case of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the spermatic cord in a 15-year-old boy, detailing clinical history, light microscopy, immunohistochemistry and treatment. In order to unquestionably demonstrate the myogenic differentiation of the neoplasm, it was decided to use a monoclonal antibody against MyoD1. The nuclear positivity of this phosphoprotein in the tumor cells confirmed the diagnosis of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Consequently, the patient was treated with right radical orchiectomy and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND). The latter is usually required because of the high incidence (more than 50% of cases) of positive retroperitoneal nodes, whereas subsequent adjuvant therapy is occasionally necessary. In the present case, we decided for a careful follow-up on the basis of the small size of the tumor and the absence of metastasis at diagnosis. The patient is alive and free of disease 12 months after surgery.