Rhabdomysarcoma of the penis in a boy. Report of a case

Abstract

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common pediatric soft tissue malignant tumor. It is more likely to occur in children under 5 years of age and it is most often found in the head and neck. The presentation in the penis is extremely rare. The embryonic variety is the most common histologic subtype. The RMS of the penis is usually a painless mass. In some cases dysuria and priapism can also be present. Treatment is based on surgical resection, che- motherapy and radiation therapy. We describe a 3 year old boy with a 6 month history of a painless enlargement of the penis due to the presence of a mass. On its dorsal aspect measuring 3 x 3 cm with necrotic and ulcerated areas; it did not affect the urethral meatus. On the CT scan a tumor on the left lateral side of the penile shaft was found, with a diameter of 2.8 x 2.5 x 3.3 cm and a 12 cc volume. Surgical resection of the mass was performed. The histopathologic study reported an embryonal type RMS. The patient was treated with chemotherapeutic agents including ifosfamide and doxorubicin, with a favorable outcome.

Keywords

• Rabdomiosarcoma
• pene
• tumor embrionario
• disuría
• priapismo