Abstract:

This paper reported a case of cervical intraspinal metastasis of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS). The clinicopathological features,surgical treatment,chemotherapy and prognosis were introduced and the current literature was reviewed. The diagnosis,differential diagnosis,treatment,molecular features and prognosis of the disease were comprehensively analyzed to improve clinicians’ knowledge of this rare disease. The primary lesion appeared about 1 year ago which was painless mass of left hand whose size was about 2 cm×2 cm. After conservative treatment;,the mass gradually enlarged and the mass was resected. Postoperative pathology revealed embryonic rhabdomyosarcoma. Postoperative chemotherapy with recombinant human endostatin,liposomal doxorubicin and ifosfamide was performed. The left neck mass was found about 3 months ago,and then the left neck mass was resected under general anesthesia. Postoperative pathological examination showed small round cell malignant tumors. Severe left upper extremity pain began about 2 weeks ago with nocturnal pain and supine pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were needed to relieve pain which was accompanied by numbness and weakness of the left upper extremity. MRI showed a intraspinal tumor at C₅. The left thumb and index finger were absent. Hypoesthesia,muscle atrophy and hypotonia of the left upper limb were confirmed. The muscle strength of biceps brachii and deltoid muscle of the left upper limb was grade 0,the muscle strength of extensor carpus and interphalangeal muscle was grade Ⅱ,the muscle strength of intrinsic muscles of hands was grade Ⅰ. The tendon reflex of the left upper limb disappeared. Intraspinal mass was removed and the pain was relieved. But there was no significant change in the muscle strength of the left upper limb. Pathological examination revealed small cell malignancies which were poorly differentiated with diffuse patchy distribution and disordered arrangement. The tumor cells had round,oval or irregular nuclei,and few cytoplasms were positive for Myogenin and MyoD1. FISH test of FOXO1 gene was positive. More than 50% of nuclei showed red-green signal separation,and the distance between red-green signals was larger than double diameter of the signal points,which supported ARMS. Total resection of intraspinal tumors was achieved and postoperative chemotherapy was admitted. But intraspinal disseminated metastasis occurred rapidly. ARMS was rare,aggressive tumor with poor prognosis. Subdural metastasis was rare. Correct diagnosis and classification can be made only with help of modern molecular diagnostic methods,which is effective to guide the treatment.

Key words: Rhabdomyosarcoma, Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS), PAX-FKHR