Rhabdomyosarcoma of extrahepatic biliary tree: initial treatment with chemotherapy and conservative surgery

Abstract

The very low frequency of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) of the extrahepatic biliary tree has impeded the development of a standardized form of treatment. Based on the good response of embryonal RMS to chemotherapy, we used a multi-drug protocol as the initial treatment of a 3-year-old girl after obtaining adequate transparietohepatic biliary drainage. The treatment achieved complete remission. Later conservative laparoscopic surgery revealed only residual scar tissue. The patient is alive and well 1 year after remission. Management of this difficult tumor using modern less invasive techniques for diagnosis and treatment, with the help of preoperative chemotherapy, prevented extensive damage to the biliary tree and allowed complete recovery.