PathNugget

Cluster of grapes
Sarcoma botryoides

Feels good to be back, and with a bang, after a much-needed break!

Wow – we’ve been together for two whole months! That’s 15
PathNuggets…don’t you feel smart? Congratulations on sticking to the
course and learning all of that pathology. You’re awesome!
Today’s PathNugget is short, and once again about cancer. Cancers are
one of those parts of pathology that make you want to hurl a heavy
object (like Robbins) at a wall. They don’t have to be that complicated- I
don’t know why so many sources make it seem so.
Sarcoma botryoides (same as embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma) is an
uncommon vaginal cancer most frequently found in children under 5
years. Under the microscope, the cancer cells are a beauty to behold.
They resemble tennis rackets, with oval nuclei and small cytoplasmic
protrusions from one side. Such a scene is one that can hold you bound,
staring down your microscope for hours while wearing a wide smile.
With the unaided eye, the narrative is a lot different! The cancer appears
as a polypoid bulky mass from the vagina like a cluster of grapes
(botryoides=grapelike in Greek). Sorry for the disgust once again!

PS: Hungry for more? Consult your pathologist!