# Pediatric Prostatic Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma Presenting with Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression in the Thoracic Spine: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

## TL;DR

A child with a rare type of rhabdomyosarcoma in the prostate developed spinal cord compression and metastases, highlighting treatment challenges for advanced cases.

## Contribution

First reported case of prostatic rhabdomyosarcoma in a child presenting with thoracic spinal cord compression.

## Key findings

- The patient received multimodal treatment but experienced disease progression after six months.
- This case emphasizes the difficulty in managing metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma in pediatric patients.
- Spinal cord compression as a metastatic site is a rare and challenging clinical presentation.

## Abstract

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a pediatric malignancy with a variable prognosis depending on tumor stage and genotype. There has been a significant improvement in survival rates over the past decades. However, aggressive variants can metastasize to locations that are difficult to treat. We report a case of prostatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma with metastases to the bone marrow and thoracic spine in a child. The patient was treated with a multimodal approach that included surgical resection of the epidural mass; the administration of vincristine, dactinomycin, and cyclophosphamide; and radiotherapy. Unfortunately, after six months, the patient showed disease progression and was started on secondary-line treatment. This case illustrates the difficulties in managing end-stage metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma and is the first report of prostatic rhabdomyosarcoma presenting with spinal cord compression in a child.