Primary ovarian rhabdomyosarcoma associated with clear cell carcinoma of the ovary: A case report and review of the literature

The clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical findings of a case of coexist ent primary ovarian rhabdomyosarcoma and clear cell carcinoma of the ovary are reported. The tumor was detected in a 41-year-old premenopausal woman w ho had a 1-year history of pelvic pain. On physical examination, a 14.0-cm left adnexal mass was found for which a hysterectomy with bilateral salping o-oophorectomy and staging biopsies were performed. The tumor was composed of solid and cystic areas, and two distinct microscopic components were ide ntified: clear cell carcinoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. Immunoperoxidase studie s demonstrated that the neoplastic cells in the latter component were posit ive for desmin, muscle-specific actin, and myoglobin. A biopsy taken from t he pelvic peritoneum revealed rhabdomyosarcoma (FIGO stage IIB). Despite tw o cycles of chemotherapy, the disease persisted in the pelvis 4 months afte r diagnosis.