Description
The specimen shows a rib expanded by tumour; there is tumour tissue in the superior vena cava
and in the mediastinal lymph nodes.
History
This man presented at the age of 19 with paraplegia; exploration of his thoracic spine
produced tumour tissue pressing on the dura. The histology of the lesion was that of a
rhabdomyosarcoma. The origin of the tumour was not precisely defined but at autopsy following
his sudden death, the sixth rib on the right was found to be expanded and replaced by tumour.
Tumour tissue was present in the azygous veins and the left pulmonary artery was also blocked by
tumour. Recurrent tumour was found on the posterior aspect of the dura over some 10 cm in the
upper thoracic region.