Sarcoma botryoides or botryoid sarcoma[1] is a subtype of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, that can be observed in the walls of hollow, mucosa lined structures such as the nasopharynx, common bile duct, urinary bladder of infants and young children or the vagina in females, typically younger than age 8. The name comes from Ancient Greek botryoid 'grape bunch' due to their gross appearance.
Presentation
For botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma of the vagina, the most common clinical finding is vaginal bleeding[2] but vaginal bleeding is not specific for sarcoma botryoides: other vaginal cancers are possible. They may appear as a polypoid mass, somewhat yellow in color and are friable: thus, they (possibly) may break off, leading to vaginal bleeding or infections.[citation needed]
The disease used to be uniformly fatal, with a 5-year survival rate between 10 and 35%.[3] As a result, treatment was radical surgery. New multidrug chemotherapy regimens with or without radiation therapy are now used in combination with less radical surgery with good results, although outcome data are not yet available.[4]
Epidemiology
Sarcoma botryoides normally is found in children under 8 years of age. Onset of symptoms occurs at age 3 years (38.3 months) on average.[5] Cases of older women with this condition have also been reported.[6]
^Rahaman, J and Cohen, CJ. Gynecologic Sarcomas. in Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine - 6th Ed. Kufe, DW et al. editors. BC Decker Inc., Hamilton, Ontario, 2003.
^Piver M, Rose P (1988). "Long-term follow-up and complications of infants with vulvovaginal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma treated with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy". Obstet Gynecol. 71 (3 Pt 2): 435–7. PMID3347430.
^Rotmensch, J and Yamada, SD. Neoplasms of the Vulva and Vagina. in Holland-Frei Cancer Medicine - 6th Ed. Kufe, DW et al. editors. BC Decker Inc., Hamilton, Ontario, 2003.
^Hilgers R (1975). "Pelvic exenteration for vaginal embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma: a review". Obstet Gynecol. 45 (2): 175–80. PMID1090863.
^Reynolds E, Logani S, Moller K, Horowitz I (2006). "Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the uterus in a postmenopausal woman. Case report and review of the literature". Gynecol Oncol. 103 (2): 736–9. doi:10.1016/j.ygyno.2006.03.033. PMID16684558.
