Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma masquerading as a primary parotid tumor: a case report

BACKGROUND: Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma is more common in male individuals and is rare in the parotid region. In our case the tumor occurred in a 19-year-old Indian woman, and was mistaken for a primary salivary gland tumor. CASE PRESENTATION: A 19-year-old Indian woman complained of pain and swelling over the left side of the face for 1 year. This started as a small swelling, progressed gradually, and extended to the region of the ear lobe. No lymph nodes were detected. Clinical diagnosis offered was a primary salivary gland tumor of the parotid gland. Biopsy was done and morphology was in favor of an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis and the patient was treated accordingly with chemotherapy. The patient was followed up and was doing well after 6 months and after a year. CONCLUSION: This case report highlights the rarity of this tumor in the parotid region. It also stresses the fact that since inflammation of the salivary gland are frequent in children and adolescents, clinicians need to be aware that embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma may mimic the symptoms of inflammation or a primary salivary gland tumor.