Rhabdomyosarcoma of the soft palate: a diagnostic challenge

Authors

  • Inês Palma Delgado Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca
  • Isabel Correia Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central
  • Margarida Boavida Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca
  • Rui Cabral Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental
  • Pedro Montalvão Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa
  • Miguel Magalhães Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25753/BirthGrowthMJ.v26.i3.9874

Keywords:

Children, Diagnosis, Rhabdomyosarcoma, Sarcoma, Soft palate, Surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) accounts for 50% of all soft tissue sarcomas in children. 10-30% of head and neck RMS have their origin in intraoral and pharyngeal structures. When these lesions grow rapidly reaching a large dimensions they may cause potencially serious symptoms.

Case Report: A ten-years-old boy presented in Otorynolaryngology emergency department with a fast growing large soft palate lesion, causing dyspneia and dysphagia (previously treated as an inflammatory lesion). He was submitted to a partial excision of the lesion and histologic exam revealed rhabdomyoma. After three months a new fast growth of the lesion was seen. A new excisional biopsy was performed and the extemporaneous pathological examination was compatible with a benign lesion. Definitive diagnosis was rhabdomyosarcoma.

Discussion/Conclusion: The authors illustrate that the diagnosis of RMS can be a challenge and emphasizes the importance of urgent reference and multidisciplinar approach in children with any fast growing lesion.

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Author Biographies

Inês Palma Delgado, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca

Interna de ORL

Isabel Correia, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Central

Interna de ORL

Margarida Boavida, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Professor Doutor Fernando Fonseca

Interna de ORL

Rui Cabral, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Ocidental

Interno de ORL

Pedro Montalvão, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa

Assistente Graduado de ORL

Miguel Magalhães, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa

Director do Serviço de ORL

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Published

2017-11-21

How to Cite

1.
Delgado IP, Correia I, Boavida M, Cabral R, Montalvão P, Magalhães M. Rhabdomyosarcoma of the soft palate: a diagnostic challenge. REVNEC [Internet]. 2017Nov.21 [cited 2025Feb.1];26(3):191-4. Available from: https://revistas.rcaap.pt/nascercrescer/article/view/9874

Issue

Vol. 26 No. 3 (2017)

Section

Case Reports

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