Rhabdomyoma of the Ovary

Tumors of striated muscle are sufficiently rare to make the observation of a new and characteristic case worthy of record. The rhabdomyoma which is the subject of the present discussion is of special interest because of the peculiar forms assumed by the myogenic cells and the wide variations of structure in the tumor. At the present time a detailed discussion of the literature of this neoplasm is unnecessary; but the facts which are of more direct bearing on the present case may be mentioned. Benenati’s list of 65 cases was published in 1903; and the cases reported since then do not show any material change in the relative frequency of this tumor in the various pmts of the body. They may be divided according to the regions in which they occur. Rhabdomyoma is found most often in the genitourinary tract. There are 39 cases occurring in this region: kidney, 13; testis, 9; uterus, 6; pelvis of the kidney, 3; vagina, 3; bladder, 3; ovary or uterus, 1; ovary, 2. The tumor of the ovary described by Virchow in 1850 was a papillary cystic rhabdomyosarcoma, some of the papillae being formed of striated muscle. A second rhabdomyoma of the ovary was reported by Vignard. It was similar to the tumor about to be described, the greater part being striated muscular tissue with cystic degeneration at one extremity. Wolfensberger noted the frequency of this tumor in the neck and adjoining regions, which stand second to the genitourinary tract with 9 cases. These localities are: orbit, 2; temporal bone, nose, tongue, parotid, mandible, esophagus, and mediastinum. Four examples are found posterior to the pelvis. They were in the lumbar region, hip, ischial tuberosity, and anus.