Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis and nephrotic syndrome in a child with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma

A case of nephrotic syndrome (NS) and acute renal failure (ARF) associated with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) in a 10-year-old boy is reported. Ultrasound revealed irregular, echogenic, circumferential urinary bladder base mass, bilateral hydroureter and hydronephrosis. Histopathology of percutaneous renal and urethrocystoscopic biopsy specimens, respectively, revealed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and embryonal RMS. Tumour remission was induced with pulse doses of intravenous vincristine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and actinomycin D over a 15-month period. He has been followed-up for 28 months and has maintained a drug-free tumour and proteinuria remission for 1 year. While some malignancies have been reported in association with NS, its occurrence in association with RMS is quite exceptional. We conclude that RMS may be associated with FSGS and NS. Effective treatment of the RMS was associated with sustained remission of the nephrotic proteinuria.