Spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma in the hypopharynx of an adult

We herein present the first-reported case in the English-language literature of a spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma in the hypopharynx of an adult. A 58-year-old male presented with a progressive, 7-month history of discomfort during swallowing, accompanied by hoarseness for 1 month. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a tumor in the left pyriform sinus; frozen section evaluation suggested that it was rhabdomyosarcoma. The tumor was removed completely via left lateral cervical incision. Section margins were negative, and laryngeal function was preserved. The postoperative pathological results indicated spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma. The patient received postoperative radiotherapy (6,000 cGy in 200 cGy fractions, delivered over 30 days). However, he was also required to undergo urgent tracheostomy due to severe laryngeal obstruction, precipitated by laryngeal edema, 3 months subsequent to radiotherapy. The patient was free of disease 25 months postoperatively but is still unable to close his tracheostomy.