[SavageGlow]

Rhabdomyosarcoma – A Rare Tumor Of The Eye

This young boy presented with a tumor of the eye. Initially they thought it would be a retinoblastoma but it turned out to be embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. They did an orbital exenteration with a temporalis muscle flap. The boy did very well and will soon be getting chemotherapy.

The cut on the side of his head was used to harvest the temporalis muscle flap, which they used to fill the orbital cavity prior to closure. Cosmetically this allowed them to avoid a large indentation from where they removed the tumor/avoid a more concave appearance of the eye socket.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a highly malignant tumor and is one of the few life-threatening diseases that present first to the ophthalmologist. It is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma of the head and neck in childhood with 10% of all cases occurring in the orbit. RMS has been reported from birth to the seventh decade, with the majority of cases presenting in early childhood. Survival has changed drastically over the years, from 30% in the 1960’s to 90% presently, with the advent of new diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.

[SugarSable]

That poor boy. I hope he manages to complete chemo and continue his hobbies and school. Kids really don't deserve to be afflicted with such dangerous and disfiguring medical problems.

[kellyhound]

hope it didn't spread to the lungs and lymphs

[Tadhgín]

Aww what a little cutie!! Poor kid.