Two "childhood" malignancies in an elderly individual: A case report and discussion

Abstract

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft-tissue tumor in childhood, but is extremely rare in elderly. We present a rare case of cardiac RMS, which developed 1 year after the diagnosis and management of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a 68-year-old female. The occurrence of such phenomena is intriguing, especially in an individual without prior history of malignancy at a younger age. Through the review of the existing literature, we attempt to approach the pathogenesis and clinical manifestations of this rare clinical entity. © 2009 Humana Press Inc.