title: Rhabdomyosarcoma of the oral tissues--two new cases and literature review.
abstract: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a malignant soft tissue neoplasm consisting of cells derived from the primitive mesenchyme that exhibit a profound tendency to myogenesis. About 35% of RMS arises in the head and neck, being classified as parameningeal and non-orbital non-parameningeal forms. Parameningeal tumors carry the worst prognosis. The use of contemporary, multi-agent chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery has made treatment of the disseminated disease possible, and has significantly improved overall survival from 25% in 1970 to 70% in 1991. Here, we present the management of two cases of orofacial RMS in adolescents: an 18-year-old, white female that had a 9-month history of a nodule in the left buccal mucosa, and a 19-year-old, white male who had been aware of a nodule in the left, posterior maxillary ridge with progressive growth for 4 months. Before final diagnosis, both cases were previously treated as inflammatory lesions. Their clinicopathological aspects, treatment, and poor survival as a consequence of delays in diagnosis are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Biodentistry Post-Graduation Program, Dental School, Ibirapuera University, Brazil. crispadron@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Cristiane Miranda
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: França
authors.forename: Eliana M M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Caran
authors.forename: Maria Teresa S
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Adriana D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Barreto
authors.forename: Nilza N F
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Lopes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy