[Histological classification of soft tissue tumors and staging according to the TNM system]. / Histologische Klassifikation von Weichgewebstumoren und Stadieneinteilung gemäß TNM-System.

The classification of soft tissue tumors is based on their resemblance to normal non-neoplastic tissues and provides an indication of how the tumor will behave in the further disease course. The current article presents the principles to be considered when classifying tumors into categories and discusses additional findings to be taken into account in the diagnosis. The importance of considering combinations of findings when classifying a tumor is underscored; individual (in particular immunohistochemical) findings can be misleading. A statement on the grade of malignancy of a soft tissue tumor requires its identification as a known entity, otherwise incorrect prediction of its biological behaviour is possible. The category of "intermediate malignancy" has been added to the categories of "benign" and "malignant", whereby locally aggressive and incidentally metastasizing tumors have been included in this new category. The staging of soft tissue tumors according to the TNM system is explained, emphasizing that one important feature compared with carcinomas is the inclusion of depth localisation and grade of malignancy.

Rabdomioma de cordón espermático / Spermatic cord rhabdomyoma

Objetivo: Los rabdomiomas son tumores benignos del músculo esquelético cuya localización extracardiaca es rara. Métodos/Resultados: Presentamos un caso de rabdomioma de cordón espermático en un varón de 28 años de edad. Conclusiones: Los rabdomiomas genitales son tumores benignos poco frecuentes, y deben ser considerados en el diagnóstico diferencial de tumores del tracto genital masculino (AU)

Objective: Rhabdomyomas are benign tumors of the skeletal muscle and extracardiac rhabdomyomas are very rare. Methods/Results: We report one case of spermatic cord rhabdomyoma in a 28-year-old male. Conclusions: Genital rhabdomyomas are rare benign tumors. Rhabdomyomas should be considered in the clinicopathological differential diagnosis of tumors of the male genital tract (AU)

Rabdomioma vaginal / Vaginal rhabdomyoma

Se describe un caso de rabdomioma vaginal detectado en una exploración ginecológica rutinaria como tumoración polipoide. El estudio histopatológico después de su exéresis completa mostró las características histológicas e inmunohistoquímicas de la tumoración. Se trata de un tipo de tumor poco frecuente y comportamiento benigno que responde al tratamiento de escisión quirúrgica con márgenes libres. En el seguimiento a los 20 meses no se ha observado recidiva tumoral (AU)

Extracardiac rhabdomyomas.

Extracardiac rhabdomyomas are divided into three subtypes: adult rhabdomyomas (ARs), fetal rhabdomyomas (FRs) and genital rhabdomyomas (GRs), each of which has characteristic clinicopathologic features that facilitate their diagnosis. Rhabdomyomas are invariably benign and show varying degrees of skeletal muscle differentiation by electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. The etiology of these lesions is not understood; however, there is cytogenetic evidence to indicate that ARs are probably neoplastic in origin. The differential diagnosis of rhabdomyomas includes granular cell tumors and hibernomas for ARs, rhabdomyosarcomas and fibromatosis for FRs, and sarcoma botryoides and vaginal polyps for GRs. Identification and investigation of these lesions provide opportunity for gaining insight into skeletal muscle tumor differentiation and skeletal-muscle tumors in general.

Extracardiac rhabdomyoma: An immunocytochemical study and review of the literature.

Two cases of 'adult' rhabdomyoma and 2 of 'fetal' rhabdomyoma have been immunologically studied using several antisera specific of skeletal muscle fibers proteins. This paper also deals with a review of the literature on these rare benign skeletal muscle proliferations. It is concluded that 'adult' rhabdomyoma contains fetal myosin and therefore the term 'adult' does not seem immunologically appropriate any longer. In addition the tumoral cells show the same level of differentiation as seen in neonatal skeletal muscle. Therefore it seems that the definition of neonatal rhabdomyoma is more appropriate for these benign muscular proliferations. The 2 cases of fetal rhabdomyoma appear phenotypically similar to normally developing myoblasts and contain fetal myosin. Therefore it seems that the definition 'fetal' is here appropriate for what appears to be a disorganized proliferation of otherwise normal fetal skeletal muscle fibers. The differential diagnosis between these latter tumors and rhabdomyosarcomas has been discussed.

Benign neoplasms of the oral cavity.

A wide variety of benign tumors present in the oral cavity. These tumors are for the most part rare and are classified by the tissue of origin. Although benign oral cavity tumors are not life-threatening, they can result in extensive loss of soft tissue and/or bone. Furthermore, many patients are subject to the threat of recurrence, multiple surgical procedures, and the possibility of malignant degeneration. Because many tumors vary little clinically, an adequate biopsy specimen must be obtained for diagnosis. Radiographs are, in general, nondiagnostic. Collaboration with an experienced pathologist is necessary to determine the tumor's probable clinical behavior. Therapy, which is dictated by tumor type, is almost always surgical.

Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma of the larynx. A case report and review of the literature.

A case of pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma of the larynx occurring in a 33-year-old male is reported. The clinical and histopathological aspects of this undoubtedly rare neoplasm are described. After a quick review of the most important classifications of rhabdomyosarcoma so far made, the authors suggest a division into two basic groups, i.e. pleomorphic and fetal rhabdomyosarcoma, while the botryoid sarcoma and the alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma should be considered only as two subgroups of fetal rhabdomyosarcoma. From a comprehensive review of world literature on the subject, the well-documented cases up to now described are only seven, including the authors. The present case is the third one after the instances of pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma reported by Filipo and Crifo (1964 and by Rodriquez and Ziskind (1970).