J Korean Thyroid Assoc.  2015 May;8(1):117-120. 10.11106/cet.2015.8.1.117.

A Case of Rhabdomyosarcoma Presenting a Rapidly Growing Thyroid Mass Showing Cytological Features Mimic Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. otolarynx@snuh.org

Abstract

This is a case of a 30-year-old man who was referred to our hospital for evaluation of a rapidly growing tumor in the left thyroid gland. It was palpated 2 weeks ago. But it was growing fast. A 4x3 cm mass was palpated in the left thyroid gland. Our impression was anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. Computed tomography finding indicated a thyroid malignant tumor and cytology result suggested spindle cell neoplasm. A lower anterior neck mass was resected and final histopathological result turns out to be a rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Although cervical RMS is very rare in adults, it has to be included for the differential diagnosis for the rapidly growing mass at thyroid gland.

Keyword

Rhabdomyosarcoma; Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma

MeSH Terms

Adult
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Neck
Rhabdomyosarcoma*
Thyroid Gland*
Thyroid Neoplasms*

Figure

  • Fig. 1. CT scan showed a tumor occupying the left thyroid. The left thyroid was compressed by the tumor.

  • Fig. 2. Intraoperative exposure. Mass (white arrow) was very closely attached to superior and posterior portion of left thyroid gland. However, it was separated well without invasion into adjacent tissue.

  • Fig. 3. Pathological examination showing rhabdomyosarcoma. Numerous rhabdomyoblasts containing abundant eosinophilic cytoplasms and occasional strap cells (Hematoxylin & Eosin stain, ×400).

  • Fig. 4. Immunohistochemical staining showing positivity for myogenin (×200).


Reference

References

1. Ferrari A, Dileo P, Casanova M, Bertulli R, Meazza C, Gandola L. et al. Rhabdomyosarcoma in adults. A retrospective analysis of 171 patients treated at a single institution. Cancer. 2003; 98(3):571–80.
2. Wagemans J, Beuselinck B, Nuyts S, Sciot R, Delaere P, Vander Poorten V. et al. A case series of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the head and neck in adults. Acta Clin Belg. 2010; 65(6):404–10.
3. Casiraghi O, Lefevre M. Undifferentiated malignant round cell tumors of the sinonasal tract and nasopharynx. Ann Pathol. 2009; 29(4):296–312.
4. Hawkins WG, Hoos A, Antonescu CR, Urist MJ, Leung DH, Gold JS. et al. Clinicopathologic analysis of patients with adult rhabdomyosarcoma. Cancer. 2001; 91(4):794–803.
5. Crist WM, Anderson JR, Meza JL, Fryer C, Raney RB, Ruymann FB. et al. Intergroup rhabdomyosarcoma study-IV: results for patients with nonmetastatic disease. J Clin Oncol. 2001; 19(12):3091–102.
6. Daya H, Chan HS, Sirkin W, Forte V. Pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma of the head and neck: is there a place for surgical management? Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2000; 126(4):468–72.
7. Furze AD, Lehman DA, Roy S. Rhabdomyosarcoma presenting as an anterior neck mass and possible thyroid malignancy in a seven-month-old. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2005; 69(2):267–70.
Article
8. Tsuchiya A, Furukawa H, Endo Y, Nakamura I, Suzuki S, Takenoshita S. et al. Rhabdomyosarcoma presenting as an anterior cervical mass in an adult: report of a case. Surg Today. 2000; 30(12):1107–9.
Full Text Links
  • JKTA
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr