MALIGNANT RHABDOID TUMOR OF THE BREAST - A CASE-REPORT

A 66-year-old woman developed a malignant rhabdoid tumor of the breast , with a tumor doubling time of 10 days. One month after radical maste ctomy, there was local recurrence, followed by multiple pulmonary meta stases, and the patient died of respiratory failure 5 months after sur gery. The gray-white-colored tumor measured 13x12x10 cm, and its borde r was well defined. The tumor was composed of diffusely growing round or polygonal cells with vesicular nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and ampl e cytoplasm containing eosinophilic inclusions. Lymph node involvement was widespread. Both vimentin and keratin were clearly demonstrated b y immunohistochemical staining. Ultrastructural studies revealed that the MRT cells contained cytoplasmic whorls of intermediate filaments.