Primary Adrenal Malignant Rhabdoid Tumor in a 14-Year-Old Female: A Case Report and Literature Review

Int J Surg Pathol. 2022 Apr;30(2):172-176. doi: 10.1177/10668969211024331. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Abstract

Malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT) is a rare, SWItch/sucrose nonfermentable-related matrix-associated actin-dependent regulator of chromatin subfamily B member 1 (SMARCB1)-deficient, aggressive tumor, occurring predominantly in children below 3 years of age. Primary adrenal MRT is extremely rare, with only 3 cases reported in the literature. A previously healthy 14-year-old female presented with left upper quadrant/epigastric abdominal pain. Imaging studies revealed an 8.0 × 8.0 × 6.5 cm, heterogeneous, partially enhancing mass along the superior margin of the left kidney encasing the adrenal gland. Surgical resection of the tumor revealed a hypercellular heterogeneous neoplasm arising from the adrenal gland. It was composed predominantly of primitive small round blue cells with focal true rosettes and areas of vague glandular epithelial differentiation and chondroid differentiation. Classic rhabdoid-type cytoplasmic inclusions were focally present. Mitoses, tumor necrosis, and hemorrhage were readily seen. Tumor cells showed complete loss of SMARCB1 (INI1) nuclear staining, demonstrated strong, and diffuse positivity for glypican 3, patchy positivity for CD99, cytokeratin, Sal-like protein 4, Lin-28 homolog A, epithelial membrane antigen, and S100. Molecular studies revealed biallelic frameshift mutations in the SMARCB1 gene (c.673delG and c.683dupT) without pathogenic copy number aberrations. The histologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular findings support a diagnosis of MRT. The unusual age, location, and mutations of this case expand the clinicopathologic and molecular spectrum of MRT.

Keywords: SMARCB1; adolescent adrenal gland; epithelioid sarcomas; malignant rhabdoid tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Rhabdoid Tumor* / diagnosis
  • Rhabdoid Tumor* / genetics
  • Rhabdoid Tumor* / pathology
  • Transcription Factors / genetics

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Transcription Factors