Primary intrathoracic rhabdomyosarcoma: a rare childhood malignancy

Primary intrathoracic rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare tumour in childhood. Three cases are presented and the radiological findings and clinical course are reviewed. The radiological manifestations are varied but a rapidly growing soft tissue mass with compression of adjacent structures is the most common. A rare association with an underlying congenital pulmonary cyst is described. The prognosis is worse than for rhabdomyosarcoma at other sites, with a predisposition for cerebral metastases.