Title: Extremity rhabdomyosarcoma in adolescents and adultsA retrospective study of clinical, imaging and treatment findings in four cases
Authors: YACINE HAMID-ALLAH, OMAR ZIRRARI, HATIM ABID, MOHAMMED EL IDRISSI, ABDELMAJID EL MRINI
Volume: 10
Issue: 9
Pages: 67-72
Publication Date: 2026/09/28
Abstract:
Extremity rhabdomyosarcoma is rare in adults and requires multidisciplinary management. This retrospective descriptive study evaluated the clinical, imaging, pathological, treatment and outcome characteristics of four patients managed at Hassan II University Hospital, Fez, between January 2016 and December 2020. Data were obtained from clinical records and radiology and pathology reports. The cohort comprised three males and one female, aged 15-45 years, with a mean age of 26.5 years. All primary tumours involved the thigh, with extension to the knee in one case. Tumours were bulky and associated with deterioration in general condition. The reported histological diagnoses were embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma with spindle cell morphology in two patients, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma in one and pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma in one. Two patients were classified as having metastatic disease, although histological confirmation of the suspected sacral lesion was not documented. Management included chemotherapy, radiotherapy in one patient and a subsequent recommendation for amputation in that patient, which was declined. Individual treatment documentation was incomplete. No durable remission was reported, and all four patients died during the documented follow-up. These observations illustrate the diagnostic and treatment challenges of bulky or disseminated disease and support early specialist referral, expert pathological assessment and continuity of care. The small sample precludes conclusions regarding comparative treatment efficacy or population-level prognosis.