Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, in the nose
Clinical story
A 5 years old girl with a "chronic cold" and difficulty of nose breathing. Examination of the nasal cavity showed a polypoid tumor, protruding from the orifice.
Comments
Pieces of polypoid (botryoid) tissue covered by squamous epithelium are seen The tumor appears paucicellular, with hypocellular myxoid areas and several vessels. There is increased cellularity around vessels and along the surface (cambium layer). The cells have nuclei with round to oval shape and spindled cytoplasm which is difficult to distinguish, but partly appears eosinophilic. Cross striations are found. An inflammatory reaction with granulocytes complicates the histological picture.
Learning goals
Have knowledge about the primitive tumors typical of childhood, the so called small blue cell tumors.