Vaginoscopic resection for rhabdomyosarcoma of the vagina: a case report and review of the literature

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma found in children. Genitourinary sites comprise 20% of the primary location of these tumors. A polypoid form of the embryonal type of rhabdomyosarcoma, sarcoma botyroides, is often found in girls under age 5. These tumors are usually localized to the anterior vaginal wall. Their superficial location and clinical symptoms lead to early diagnosis, and these tumors are therefore considered to be the easiest to treat and most likely to be cured. In the past 30 years we have seen a shift in treatment from radical surgery to conservative surgery with chemotherapy and radiation, with improved survival and preservation of normal anatomy and improved postoperative body imagery. Conservative excision in the past has been performed by sharp curettage of the anterior vaginal wall. We present a case of a 2-yr-old child with a RMS of the vagina for which we utilized vaginoscopy not only to determine the extent of the tumor but also for precise resection using a bipolar electrode with normal saline as the distension medium.