Keywords
case report - malignant rhabdoid tumor - SMARCB1 - extrarenal rhabdoid tumor - multifocal
Introduction
Rhabdoid tumors are rare, aggressive tumors with a poor prognosis and a high tendency to metastasize.[1] They appear mainly in infants and most commonly involve the kidney, which makes them the second most common malignant renal tumors in neonates after Wilms tumors.[1]
[2]
Despite belonging to the family of primary renal tumors, rhabdoid tumors may also be found in different extrarenal sites. Hence, this tumor is situated mainly on the central body-axis, such as in the central nervous system (CNS), it is also known as atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor. These tumors are present in the mediastinum, the head and neck area,[1]
[3] and, rarely, the skin where the metastatic nodules give the appearance of a “blue muffin baby syndrome.”[4]
[5] Even rarer forms of rhabdoid tumors include the rhabdoid tumor predisposition syndrome (RTPS), which is characterized by having a germline mutation in one of the rhabdoid tumor-causing genes and an increased risk of metastasis.[3] Presentations vary depending on the site of the primary tumor. Symptoms commonly include flank pain and hematuria in cases with renal origin of tumor.[6] In contrast, for extrarenal cases, recurrent urinary tract infections, frequent urination, and hematuria are common with bladder involvement,[7] and epigastric pain is common with liver involvement.[1] Also, similar to other malignancies, rhabdoid tumors may present with septic shock.[8]
Two genes have been commonly identified as a part of the pathology of rhabdoid tumors: tumor suppressor genes SMARCB1 (INI1) and SMARCA4 (BRG1) on chromosomes 22 and 19, respectively. Both are members of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent SWItch gene (SWI)/Sucrose Non-Fermentable gene (SNF) chromatin-remodeling complex.[9] Mutations of SMARCB1 are associated with RTPS type 1 and are attributed to 90% of malignant rhabdoid tumors; SMARCA4 mutations are associated with RTPS type 2 and have also been implicated in other malignancies such as small cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT).[10] Additionally, given its location on chromosome 22, RTPS type 1 can be associated with the dysmorphic phenotype of DiGeorge syndrome and various types of congenital anomalies. Surprisingly, mutations of SMARCB1 and SMARCA4 are associated with Coffin–Siris syndrome without having an increased risk of malignant rhabdoid tumor.[10]
Due to the rare and aggressive nature of the condition, a single, unified approach or guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of rhabdoid tumors remains elusive.[11] Treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and even stem cell transplant.[12] Here, we present a rare case of extrarenal, extra-CNS rhabdoid tumor associated with congenital anomalies. Reporting such presentations contributes to physicians' awareness of this rare condition and can hopefully help avoid lengthy delays in diagnosis. This case report has been reported in line with the Surgical CAse REport 2020 criteria.[13]
Case Presentation
A full-term, vaginally delivered 3-month-old female presented to the emergency department with progressive shortness of breath and stridor, which started 2 months before presentation and exacerbated suddenly 1 hour before reaching the emergency room. Upon evaluation, the baby was drowsy and demonstrated signs of poor oral feeding and weight loss. During the physical examination, multiple nontenders and mobile cutaneous nodules with overlying redness were noticed on the right axilla and the back. The nodules had also appeared 2 months before the present evaluation and had exhibited progressive growth ([Fig. 1]).
Fig. 1 Clinical picture: cutaneous nodules on the right axilla.
The patient was given antibiotics for her respiratory symptoms. At the same time, her nodules were diagnosed clinically as multiple hemangiomas, for which she was sent for an ultrasound (US). The US revealed a well-defined, mildly hypoechoic, rounded nodule. It was hypervascularized, with a peak systolic velocity of 30 cm/s. A 0.3-cm hypoechoic mass was detected in the liver as well. These findings increased the suspicion of an infantile melanoma with liver metastasis, prompting computed tomography (CT) imaging and biopsy. CT of the neck, abdomen, chest, and pelvis revealed a large, 3.5 × 3 × 3 cm, ill-defined, heterogeneous, enhancing retropharyngeal mass extending to the skull base, with small areas of hypodensities suggesting necrosis ([Fig. 2A] and [B]), and another well-defined, heterogeneous, enhancing, subcutaneous mass in the right axilla measuring 2.1 × 1.3 × 1.7 cm ([Fig. 2C] and [D]), as well as a third well-defined, retroperitoneal, hypodense, cystic lesion with a thickened enhanced wall near the right adrenal gland, measuring 1.1 × 1.2 × 2.1 cm. Additionally, the presence of multiple bilateral lung micronodules suggested metastasis. Horseshoe kidney was also noted.
Fig. 2 Computed tomography (CT) scan: (A and B) retropharyngeal heterogeneously enhancing soft tissue mass lesion with central necrosis, the mass extending to the skull base, and (C and D) heterogeneously enhancing subcutaneous mass lesion in the right axilla.
An excisional biopsy of the axillary mass was taken a month after the CT. The sample was 6 × 4.5 × 3.5 cm in size, with a 1.5 × 1.5 cm ulcer at the central area of necrotic skin. Under the microscope, sections showed a tumor composed of sheets of cells with abundant cytoplasm, eosinophilic hyaline globules, and vesicular nuclei with prominent nucleoli. Other focal areas showed spindle cell morphology and multinucleated giant cells, with areas of prominent nuclear pleomorphism, tumor necrosis, and increased mitotic activity ([Fig. 3A–C]).
Fig. 3 Microscopic pictures of the tumor: (A) tumor composed of sheets of cells with abundant cytoplasm, eosinophilic hyaline globules, and vesicular nuclei with prominent nucleoli, (B) focal areas of spindle cell morphology, and (C) high power shows prominent nuclear pleomorphism, tumor necrosis, and increased mitotic activity.
Tumor cells were positive for pan-cytokeratin (pan-CK) and epithelial membrane antigen and focally positive for SALL4, CK19, and CK7. They were negative for CD34, CD31, S100, HMB45, desmin, CD99, myogenin, smooth muscle actin, synaptophysin, chromogranin, CK5/6, CK20, and P63. The specimen was sent to the histopathology center at King Hussein Cancer Center for immunohistochemistry as the tests were unavailable in the Gaza Strip. BAF−47 “INI-1” immunohistochemistry was lost within the cells, indicating the absence of the INI-1 protein, as depicted in [Fig. 4A–C].
Fig. 4 Immunohistochemistry pictures of the tumor: (A) tumor cells positive for pan-cytokeratin (pan-CK), (B) tumor cells are positive for epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), and (C) INI-1 (BAF-47) loss within tumor cells.
While waiting for the tissue diagnosis, the patient presented unconscious and in septic shock due to pneumonia, which required admission to the pediatric intensive care unit and mechanical ventilation. Unfortunately, she passed away a few days later before her final diagnosis of an extrarenal rhabdoid tumor involving the skin and retropharyngeal space with an undefined primary was discerned. The patient family history and antenatal scans were unremarkable for any malignancy or masses.
Discussion
This report derives significance from the rarity and widespread nature of a histologically and immunologically confirmed extrarenal, extra-CNS rhabdoid tumor involving the retropharyngeal space and skin simultaneously. The rapid progression, critical clinical presentation, and early death of the patient impacted the diagnostic workup. Thus, the radiological and histopathological findings in our case suggest two hypotheses regarding the final diagnosis. The tumors could represent a multifocal rhabdoid tumor involving both the skin and the retropharyngeal space, which may be seen in conditions with germline mutations such as the rhabdoid tumor predisposing syndromes. Alternatively, it is also possible that one of the masses represented a primary extrarenal rhabdoid tumor and the second a metastasis of this primary. The authors believe the first hypothesis to be more plausible. This is supported by the absence of rhabdoid tumors with peri- or retropharyngeal metastasis in the literature, in addition to the fact that cutaneous metastasis from nonhematopoietic childhood malignancies is rare.[14] Furthermore, renal anomalies such as horseshoe kidney increase the suspicion of germline mutation. Horseshoe kidneys have been reported with chromosomal abnormalities and may run in some families, indicating a genetic contribution. The condition also carries an increased risk of developing renal malignancies such as Wilms tumor.[15] Finally, the median age of patients with germline mutation was stated to be 5 months in contrast to the median age of 18 months in sporadic cases.[16]
In our review of the literature, 1,130 titles and abstracts were identified using the search terms [“Rhabdoid tumor” AND (“Case report*” OR “Case series*”)] in the PubMed database. Of those, we found 34 relevant previous cases, of which 12 were multifocal, 6 were primary pharyngeal, and 16 were of a primary cutaneous origin ([Table 1]). Twenty out of 34 (58.8%) were males, 13 (38.2%) were newborns. The multifocal cases were identified based on genetic analysis and/or histopathological variations between tumor samples.
Table 1
Comparison between some cases from the literature
Multifocal rhabdoid tumor
|
Case number
|
Age/Sex
|
Location
|
Metastasis
|
Symptoms
|
Genetic characteristic of tumor
|
Management
|
Outcome
|
Notes
|
Case 1[18]
|
2 years/M
|
4th ventricle
|
Not present
|
Vomiting
Hydrocephalus
|
No expression of SMARCB1 (INI1) on immunohistochemistry
Deletion in 22q encompassing the SMARCB1 gene on genetic analysis
|
Gross total resection
Intrathecal chemotherapy
Focal radiotherapy
|
Remission for 10 years
|
Metachronous tumors with the CNS lesion appeared at 2 years and the renal lesion appeared at 11 years
|
Kidney
|
Nephrectomy
|
No recurrence two years after the surgery
|
Case 2[19]
|
6 months/M
|
Subependymal mass brain involvement
Intralymphatic involvement of the lungs, thymus, and epicardium
|
Not present
|
Respiratory symptoms
|
No expression of SMARCB1 (INI1) on Immunohistochemistry
Deletion of SMARCB1 gene on genetic analysis
|
Not established
|
Died before establishing the diagnosis
|
|
Case 3[20]
|
2 months\M
|
Cerebellar vermis
|
Not present
|
Vomiting
Hydrocephalus
|
No expression of
SMARCB1 (INI1) on immunohistochemistry
Nonsense mutation of the SMARCB1 gene on genetic analysis
|
External shunt for hydrocephalus
Total removal of the cerebellar mass
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
|
Died at 1 year
|
Multiple new tumors emerged and disseminated throughout patient life and body
|
Kidney
|
Nephrectomy
Chemotherapy
Resection of the recurrent masses
Radiotherapy
|
Case 4[21]
|
Newborn/F
|
Orbit
|
Not present
|
Mass affect
Vomiting
|
No expression of
SMARCB1 (INI1) on immunohistochemistry
Deletion in 22q encompassing the SMARCB1 gene on genetic analysis
|
Gross total resection chemotherapy
|
Full remission without recurrence for 4.5 years
|
The CNS lesion appeared 4.5 months after orbital lesion which appeared at birth
|
Lateral ventricle
|
Gross total resection chemotherapy
|
Case 5[22]
|
8 months/M
|
Cerebellum
|
Not present
|
Mass affect
Neurological deficit
Vomiting
Hematuria
|
Not stated
|
Gross total resection chemotherapy
|
Died 6 months after the surgery
|
|
Kidney
|
Nephrectomy
Chemotherapy
|
Case 6[23]
|
4 months/M
|
Lateral ventricle
|
Regional lymph node of the kidney and lung
|
Mass affect
Vomiting
Hydrocephalus
Drowsiness
|
Loss of chromosome 22 on genetic analysis
|
Gross total resection ventricular- peritoneal shunt
Chemotherapy
|
Died 6 months after the first presentation
|
The renal mass appeared 5 months after the CNS lesion
|
Kidney
|
Partial deletion of chromosome 22 on genetic analysis
|
Nephrectomy
|
Case 7[24]
|
11 months/F
|
Pineal gland and frontal lobe
|
Not present
|
Mass affect drowsiness
|
No expression of SMARCB1 (INI1) on immunohistochemistry
Positive ASCL1 on immunohistochemistry
Mutation of SMARCB1 gene on genetic analysis
|
Gross total resection of frontal mass
Chemotherapy
Tamoxifen
|
Complete remission for 8 years
|
Metachronous tumors with the CNS lesions appeared 8 years before the soft tissue lesion
|
Thigh
|
Positive ASCL1 on immunohistochemistry
Mutation of SMARCB1 gene on genetic analysis
|
Chemotherapy
Mass resection
|
Complete remission for 3 years
|
Case 8[25]
|
Newborn/M
|
Orbit parotid gland
|
Not present
|
Mass affect
|
No expression of SMARCB1 (INI1) on immunohistochemistry
Mutation of SMARCB1 gene on genetic analysis
|
Chemotherapy
Parotidectomy
|
Complete remission for 18 months
|
|
Case 9[26]
|
7 months/F
|
Neck
Cerebellar Vermis
Lung
|
Not present
|
Neurological deficit
Hydrocephalus
|
No expression of SMARCB1 (INI1) on immunohistochemistry
Mutation of SMARCB1 gene on genetic analysis
|
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
Ventricular- peritoneal shunt
|
Died 10 months after diagnosis
|
|
Case 10[27]
|
7 weeks/F
|
Posterior fossa
|
Not present
|
Vomiting
Hydrocephalus
|
No expression of SMARCB1 (INI1) on immunohistochemistry
Mutation of SMARCB1 gene on genetic analysis
|
Gross total resection chemotherapy
|
No recurrence 2 years after presentation
|
|
Kidney
|
Nephrectomy
Chemotherapy
|
Case 11[28]
|
2 weeks\M
|
Orbit
Fourth ventricle
|
Not present
|
Mass affect
|
Mutation of SMARCB1 gene on genetic analysis
|
Tumor resection
Chemotherapy
|
No recurrence 2 years after the surgery
|
|
Case 12[29]
|
10 days/F
|
Bladder
|
Not present
|
Pain
Vomiting
Failure to thrive
|
No expression of SMARCB1 (INI1) on immunohistochemistry
Mutation of SMARCB1 gene on genetic analysis
|
Tumor resection
|
Died at 50 days of his life
|
|
Lateral ventricle
|
Not established
|
Pharyngeal and peripharyngeal rhabdoid tumors
|
Case 13[30]
|
3 days/M
|
Retropharyngeal space
|
Not present
|
Respiratory symptoms
Mass affect
|
Not stated
|
Not stated
|
Not stated
|
|
Case 14[31]
|
60 years/M
|
Parapharyngeal space
|
Not present
|
Mass affect
Neurological deficit
Pain
|
Not stated
|
Parotidectomy and partial mandibulectomy
|
Not stated
|
The tumor arose from parotid adenoma and extended to occupy the parapharyngeal space
|
Case 15[32]
|
27 months/F
|
Retropharyngeal space
|
Not present
|
Respiratory symptoms
|
Not stated
|
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
|
Died 8 months after diagnosis
|
|
Case 16[33]
|
Newborn/F
|
Pharynx
|
Heart
Lung
Liver
Kidney
|
Mass affect
|
No expression of SMARCB1 (INI1) on immunohistochemistry
Positive expression of SMARCA4\BRG1 on immunohistochemistry
Somatically acquired homozygous detection of SMARCB1 gene on genetic analysis
|
Not established
|
Born death
|
|
Case 17[34]
|
20 months/M
|
Retropharyngeal space
|
Not present
|
Respiratory symptoms
Neurological deficit
|
Not stated
|
Chemotherapy
Tumor resection
|
Died days after initiation of chemotherapy
|
|
Case 18[35]
|
20 months/F
|
Retropharyngeal space
|
Lymph nodes
|
Mass affect
|
No expression of SMARCB1 (INI1) on immunohistochemistry
|
Chemotherapy
Palliative care
|
Recurrence of the tumor over 3 months of the first regression
|
Palliative care started after the recurrence of the tumor
|
Cutaneous rhabdoid tumors
|
Case 19[36]
|
42 years/M
|
Leg
|
Not present
|
Mass affect
|
Not stated
|
Not stated
|
Not stated
|
|
Case 20[37]
|
Newborn/F
|
Forearm
|
Soft tissue of the axilla
|
Mass affect
|
No expression of SMARCB1 (INI1) on immunohistochemistry
|
Above elbow amputation
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
|
Patient died 6 months after therapy initiation
|
|
Case 21[38]
|
29 years/M
|
Head
|
Lung lymph nodes
|
Mass affect
|
No expression of SMARCB1 (INI1) on immunohistochemistry
|
Tumor resection
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
|
General condition is good 6 months after surgery, despite of no regression of the metastasis
|
|
Case 22[39]
|
Newborn/M
|
Back
|
Not present
|
Mass affect
|
Not stated
|
Tumor resection
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
|
Complete remission after 4 years of diagnosis
|
|
Case 23[40]
|
Newborn/F
|
Scalp
|
Brain
|
Mass affect
|
No expression of SMARCB1 (INI1) on immunohistochemistry
|
Tumor resection chemotherapy
Palliative care
|
Died at age of 10 months
|
Despite negative SMARCB1 (INI1) expression on immunohistochemistry no mutation was detected on genetic analysis
|
Case 24[41]
|
Newborn/F
|
Chest
|
Bone marrow
Lung
|
Mass affect
|
Normal gene analysis using FISH
|
Tumor resection chemotherapy
|
Died after 12 months due of lung metastasis
|
|
Axilla
|
Chemotherapy
|
Elbow
|
Chemotherapy distal humorous amputation
|
Case 25[42]
|
27 years/M
|
Palm
|
Lymph nodes
|
Mass affect
|
No expression of SMARCB1 (INI1) on immunohistochemistry
|
Tumor resection chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
|
Complete remission for 12 months after surgery
|
|
Case 26[43]
|
Newborn/M
|
Forehead
|
Bone marrow
|
Mass affect
|
No expression of SMARCB1 (INI1) on immunohistochemistry
Positive expression of SMARCA4\BRG2 on immunohistochemistry
|
Chemotherapy
|
Died at 4 days
|
|
Case 27[44]
|
53 years/F
|
Calf
|
Lymph nodes
Lung
Adrenal gland
Iliac Bone
|
Mass affect
Pain
|
Not stated
|
Tumor resection chemotherapy
|
Died 8 months after presentation
|
|
Case 28[45]
|
1 day/F
|
Leg
Foot
Clavicle
Groin
|
Liver
|
Mass affect
|
No expression of SMARCB1 (INI1) on immunohistochemistry
|
Chemotherapy
|
Died at 10 weeks
|
|
Case 29[46]
|
Newborn/F
|
Back
|
Not present
|
Mass affect
|
Not stated
|
Tumor resection
|
Patient died 9 months after diagnosis
|
|
Case 30[47]
|
Newborn/M
|
Back
|
Occipital lobe
|
Mass affect
|
Not stated
|
Tumor resection
|
Died at 19 months
|
|
Case 31[48]
|
Newborn/M
|
Scapula
|
Mediastinum
Axilla
Chest wall
Lung
Thymus
Scalp
Midbrain
Pons
|
Mass affect
|
Not stated
|
Chemotherapy surgical excision
Palliative care
|
Died days after establishing palliative care
|
|
Case 32[49]
|
Newborn/M
|
Scapula
|
Lymph node
Chest wall
Lung
Scalp
Thymus
Midbrain
|
Mass affect
|
Not stated
|
Chemotherapy
|
Died 3.5 months after presentation
|
Tumor arose from neurovascular hematoma
|
Case 33[50]
|
Newborn/M
|
Scalp
Parotid region
|
Porta hepatis
Adrenal gland
Kidney
|
Mass affect
|
No expression of SMARCB1 (INI1) on immunohistochemistry
|
Propranolol
Palliative Chemotherapy
|
Died at 60 days of life
|
|
Case 34[51]
|
1 month/M
|
Scalp
|
Not present
|
Mass affect
|
No expression of SMARCB1 (INI1) on immunohistochemistry
|
Tumor resection
Chemotherapy
|
Not stated
|
|
Abbreviations: CNS, central nervous system; F, female; FISH, fluorescence in situ hybridization; M, male.
All multifocal cases (except case 5 where multifocality was established based on histopathology only) had germline mutations of the SMARCB1 gene, consistent with RTPS1. The histopathological variations were confirmed in the cases 5, 6, 7, and 12. Tumors involving both the kidney and the CNS simultaneously were common among the multifocal cases (1, 3, 5, 6, and 10). Overall, immunohistochemistry tests and evaluation of the SMARCB1 (INI1) protein expression were employed in over half the cases (19 out of 34 cases). The remaining cases (5, 6, 11, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 27, 29, 30, 31, and 32) were not evaluated for SMARCB1 (INI1) protein expression and sufficed with only genetic testing and/or other immunohistochemistry markers that differentiate rhabdoid tumor from other histologically resembling tumor such as primitive neuroectodermal tumor and tumors of muscle cell origin.
Similar to our patient, cases 6, 16, 21, 24, 27, 31, and 32 had lung metastasis. Also, cases 20, 22, 23, 28, 29, 33, and 34 had their cutaneous lesions preliminarily diagnosed as hemangiomas before suspecting a malignant tumor. The presenting symptoms and physical findings varied according to tumor location and extent. They included respiratory symptoms, mass effect, neurological deficits, pain, vomiting, failure to thrive, hydrocephalus, hematuria, and drowsiness as depicted in [Table 1]. From these diverse presentations, one infers that there is a need for a sensitive and cost-effective approach to differentiate this tumor from other similar conditions.
Our patient presented with suspicious findings on imaging that usually require urgent intervention. However, the excisional biopsy was delayed a month after the CT scan, as the image was sent to a specialized center outside the country for proper interpretation. This delay impacted the timing of management and most likely contributed to the unfortunate outcome of this patient. Similar to our case, two other cases (cases 2 and 16) died during the process of diagnosis, which highlights the aggressive nature of the tumor. Different management modalities were utilized, including surgical resection of the tumor, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and, often, combinations of these modalities ([Table 1]). Poor outcomes were reported in most cases, although a few showed complete remission without recurrence or residual tumors (1, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 22, and 25). Management of these cases involved surgical resection, radiotherapy, and various chemotherapy protocols, such as the Rhabdoid 2007 Protocol (case 4), closed Children's Oncology Group Protocol (case 7), Euro-Ewing Protocol (case 7), and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Protocol (case 10). Targeted therapy on fibroblastic growth factor receptors, histone deacetylase, and other cell cycle proteins are also useful in the treatment of rhabdoid tumor.[17]
The limitations of the present report include the unavailability of genetic analysis and obtaining a biopsy from the axillary mass only. In addition, the patient's early death and the absence of a postmortem biopsy made it impossible to identify with certainty whether the tumor was a multifocal rhabdoid tumor or if the masses represented a single extrarenal primary rhabdoid tumor with metastasis.
Conclusion
Rhabdoid tumors are rare and aggressive, and they remain elusive to clinicians despite advances in radiological and histopathological diagnostics. Delayed diagnosis and the aggressiveness of the tumors contribute to the generally poor outcomes noted in patients with this condition.