Primary rhabdomyosarcoma of the cerebrum. An ultrastructural study.

A case of primary cerebral rhabdomyosarcoma in a 51-year-old female is reported. The histogenesis of this tumor is discussed. The clinicopathological features of 10 previously reported similar tumors of the CNS are briefly reviewed. Histologically the tumor was polymorphic, but composed of poorly differentiated cells interpreted as rhabdomyoblasts without definite cross-striation. Electron microscopy established that the poorly differentiated cells were of rhabdomyosarcomatous nature, compatible with presumptive myoblasts and analogous to developing fetal muscle.