A rare case of subglottic embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma: managed with the aim of organ preservation.

BACKGROUND

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a malignant mesenchymal neoplasm rarely diagnosed in the larynx. Traditionally, it has been treated by radical surgery (i.e. total laryngectomy), followed by radiation and/or chemotherapy. Recent advances suggest that it may be treated with combination therapy comprising high-dose radiation and pulse chemotherapy, with a high success rate.

CASE REPORT: We report the first documented case of subglottic embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in an adolescent female treated with chemoradiation alone, and review the literature reflecting a move towards organ preservation.

CONCLUSION

While surgery has been successfully used to treat this neoplasm, combination therapy, as described in our study, also seems effective and has the added advantage of preserving laryngeal function.