Abstract
Purpose: :
To study the clinicopathological cases of orbital rhabdomyosarcoma (ORMS) at the Ocular Pathology Section of Institute "Dr. José Antonio O'Daly" in a period between 1959 and 2004.
Methods: :
A retrospective, longitudinal study was made, of the cases with histopathological diagnosis of orbital rhabdomyosarcoma registered at the Ocular Pathology Section of Institute "Dr. José Antonio O'Daly" in a period between 1959 and 2004 of the Central University of Venezuela, considering age, sex, time of evolution, clinical manifestation, location of the tumor and histological type. Twenty–one cases were identified and histological cuts were made, which were dyed with H&E, PAS with and without diastase digestion, Gomori trichrome, PTAH, and in selected cases immunohistochemical study was practiced.
Results: :
Of the 21 cases studied with histopathological diagnosis of ORMS, 77% corresponded to the embryonal type, 9% to the alveolar type and 7% to the pleomorphic and Botryoid. The age average was of 5.1 years. The incidence by sex was 57% for masculine sex and 43% for feminine sex. The most predominant clinical manifestation was unilateral proptosis. The time of evolution was between 15 days and two years and the palpebral location was the most frequently.
Conclusions: :
Orbital rhabdomyosarcoma is the commonest primary orbital malignancy of childhood. The histological type, tumor localization, clinical manifestation, age and sex distribution was similar to reported figures. Health education for the population, especially parents and health providers is essential for early ORMS diagnosis.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence • tumors • orbit