UNUSUAL LEPTOMENINGEAL DISSEMINATION IN A CHILD WITH EXTRACRANIAL METASTATIC ALVEOLAR RHABDOMYOSARCOMA

Abstract

The authors describe a 6-year-old boy diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma located in the thigh, with distal metastases to lungs, bones, and bone marrow. A very good partial response to first-line chemotherapy was obtained, but the child developed fatal leptomeningeal dissemination immediately after complete resection of the primary tumor. This case demonstrates the rapidity with which leptomeningeal spread of extracranial metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma can occur and underscores the importance of diagnostic lumbar puncture and brain radiological investigations at diagnosis, even when the tumors are not in the parameningeal location.

Keywords :

• alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma
• bone marrow involvement
• leptomeningeal spread

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.