Ulcerated rhabdomyosarcoma as portal of entry for tetanus in a previously nonimmunized child.
Infectious diseases represent one of the most important secondary problems related to the treatment of childhood cancer, being the leading cause of death in this population. They are predominantly of bacterial and fungal etiology. The association between tetanus, a bacterial vaccine-preventable disease, and cancer is virtually undescribed. The authors present the case of a previously nonimmunized child, due to his parents' choice, who developed severe tetanus with an ulcerated rhabdomyosarcoma as portal of entry. Due to an unfavorable evolution, the child underwent a hip disarticulation to provide tetanus control. The ulterior tumor management was successful: the child has been off therapy for more than 108 months with no evidence of disease.
Odone-Filho
Vicente
V
Instituto de Tratamento do Câncer Infantil, Instituto da Criança, Departamento de Pediatria da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, 05403-900 São Paulo, Brazil. odone@uol.com.br
Almeida
Maria T A
MT
Bakhit
Salma
S
Maluf
Paulo T
PT
Peron
Paula P D
PP
Aquino
Maria Z
MZ
Cristofani
Lilian M
LM
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003017:Clostridium tetani / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D008297:Male; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000382:microbiology*; D013742:Tetanus / Q000382:microbiology*; D014456:Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology*