Primary Prostatic Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma in Adult, a Diagnostic Pitfall: Report of an Extremely Rare Tumor.
Saikat Mitra, Abhishek Choube, Chetana Ratnaparkhi et al.
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Case in brief
A 30-year-old man presented with acute urinary retention and an indurated prostatic mass. Despite a normal serum prostate-specific antigen level, imaging revealed pelvic lymph node and vertebral metastases, along with a malignant pleural effusion. Initial biopsy suggested prostatic adenocarcinoma, but immunohistochemical analysis led to a revised diagnosis of primary alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. The patient unfortunately succumbed to the disease shortly after diagnosis.
What made this case unusual
The case highlights the rarity of primary alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in adults, particularly in the prostate, and the diagnostic challenges it presents due to its histological similarity to other malignancies.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should be aware that primary alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma can mimic prostatic adenocarcinoma in biopsy specimens, necessitating careful immunohistochemical evaluation.
Why it matters
Accurate diagnosis is crucial as treatment protocols for rhabdomyosarcoma differ significantly from those for prostatic adenocarcinoma, impacting patient management and outcomes.