title: Perivascular epithelioid cell tumour of the vagina in an 8 year old girl.
abstract: Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa) is a rare mesenchymal tumor with an unpredictable natural history. We present the first reported case of PEComa of the vagina diagnosed in an 8-year-old girl. This was initially diagnosed on biopsy as an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, and the patient underwent 3 cycles of chemotherapy according to the Mesenchymal Malignant Tumour 1989 protocol. A repeat scan, however, revealed an increase in tumor size. Total resection was achieved via a transvaginal (vertical sleeve) partial vaginectomy. The resected tumor had the typical appearance of a PEComa. Immunostains showed positive staining of tumor cells for HMB45, neuron-specific enolase, and calponin but were negative for S100 protein, melaninA, chromogranin, smooth muscle actin, desmin, caldesmon, epithelial membrane antigen, AE1/3, and synaptophysin. Six months after surgery, she remains free of tumor and is on follow-up with regular local examinations under anesthesia and computed tomography scans. Our case highlights the importance of an accurate initial diagnosis, and we stress the importance of regular surveillance over a significant period.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore 229899, Singapore.
authors.forename: Lin Yin
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: Wei Sek
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Adelina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Mei Yoke
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Chan Hon
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chui
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D015622:Epithelioid Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D014625:Vaginal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*