A rhabdomyoma is a benigntumor of striated muscle. Rhabdomyomas may be either cardiac or extracardiac (occurring outside the heart). Extracardiac forms of rhabdomyoma are sub-classified into three distinct types: adult type, fetal type, and genital type.
Cardiac rhabdomyomas are the most common primary tumor of the heart in infants and children. It has an association with tuberous sclerosis.[1] In those with tuberous sclerosis, the tumor may regress and disappear completely, or remain consistent in size.[2] A common histological feature is the presence of spider cells, which are cardiac myocytes with enlarged glycogen vacuoles separated by eosinophilic strands, resembling the legs of a spider.
It is most commonly associated with the tongue,[3] and heart,[4] but can also occur in other locations, such as the vagina.[5]
^Bader RS, Chitayat D, Kelly E, et al. (November 2003). "Fetal rhabdomyoma: prenatal diagnosis, clinical outcome, and incidence of associated tuberous sclerosis complex". J. Pediatr. 143 (5): 620–4. doi:10.1067/S0022-3476(03)00494-3. PMID14615733.