Objective: To improve the diagnosis and treatment of paratesticular embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (PER).
Methods: We retrospectively studied the clinical data of 5 cases of PER treated from 1997 to 2009 and reviewed the relevant literature, focusing on its clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment.
Results: The 5 cases of PER, 2 involving the spermatic cord, 2 the testis and 1 the tunica vaginalis, were all treated by radical orchiectomy. Pathologically, 2 cases were classified as stage I, 1 as stage II and 2 as stage IV. Postoperatively, 2 of the patients received chemotherapy and the other 3 refused adjunctive therapy. The patients were followed up for 6, 12, 18 and 28 months, respectively. Four of them remained free from relapse and metastasis, and 1 stage IV patient died of multiple metastasis at 6 months.
Conclusion: Early diagnosis, radical orchiectomy and adjunctive chemo- or radio-therapy are effective means to the treatment of PER.