Nonepithelial tumors of the nasal cavity paranasal sinuses, and nasopharynx: a clinicopathologic study. V. Skeletal muscle tumors (rhabdomyoma and rhabdomyosarcoma).

In a study of nonepithelial tumors involving the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and nasopharynx, 19 lesions (three rhabdomyomas, 16 rhabdomyosarcomas) showed skeletal muscle differentiation. The clinical findings associated with these neoplasms are reviewed, the histologic features are illustrated, results of treatment are presented, and clinicopathologic correlations are discussed. The rhabdomyomas grew as localized masses in the nasopharynx, were excised locally, and behaved clinically like benign tumors. The rhabdomyosarcomas were found predominantly in children and were associated with a poor prognosis; most of the patients died within 2 years following diagnosis.