Rhabdomyosarcoma

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a cancerous (malignant) tumor of the muscles that are attached to the bones. This cancer mostly affects children.

Causes

Rhabdomyosarcoma can occur in many places in the body. The most common sites are the head or neck, the urinary or reproductive system, and the arms or legs.

The cause of rhabdomyosarcoma is unknown. It is a rare tumor with only several hundred new cases per year in the United States.

Some children with certain birth defects are at an increased risk. Some families have a gene mutation that increases this risk. Most children with rhabdomyosarcoma do not have any known risk factors.

Symptoms

The most common symptom is a mass that may or may not be painful.

Other symptoms vary depending on location of the tumor.

• Tumors in the nose or throat may cause bleeding, congestion, swallowing problems, or nervous system problems if they extend into the brain.
• Tumors around the eyes may cause bulging of the eye, problems with vision, swelling around the eye, or pain.
• Tumors in the ears, may cause pain, hearing loss, or swelling.
• Bladder and vaginal tumors may cause trouble starting to urinate or having a bowel movement, or poor control of urine.

  Vaginal tumors

  Vaginal cancer is cancer of the vagina, a female reproductive organ.

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• Muscle tumors may lead to a painful lump, and can be mistaken for an injury.

Exams and Tests

Diagnosis is often delayed because there aren't symptoms and because the tumor may appear at the same time as a recent injury. Early diagnosis is important because this cancer spreads quickly.

The health care provider will perform a physical exam. Detailed questions will be asked about symptoms and medical history.

Tests that may be ordered include:

• Chest x-ray

  Chest x-ray

  A chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.

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• CT scan of the chest to look for spread of the tumor

  CT scan

  A computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...

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• CT scan of the tumor site
• Bone marrow biopsy (may show the cancer has spread)

  Bone marrow biopsy

  A bone marrow biopsy is the removal of marrow from inside bone. Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside bones that helps form blood cells. It is foun...

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• Bone scan to look for spread of the tumor

  Bone scan

  A bone scan is an imaging test used to diagnose bone diseases and find out how severe they are.

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• MRI scan of the tumor site

  MRI

  A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...

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• Spinal tap (lumbar puncture)

  Lumbar puncture

  Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection is a test to look at the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. CSF acts as a cushion, protecting the b...

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Treatment

Treatment depends on the site and type of rhabdomyosarcoma.

Either radiation or chemotherapy, or both, will be used before or after surgery. In general, surgery and radiation therapy are used to treat the primary site of the tumor. Chemotherapy is used to treat disease at all sites in the body.

Chemotherapy is an essential part of treatment to prevent spread and recurrence of the cancer. Many different chemotherapy drugs are active against rhabdomyosarcoma. Your provider will discuss these with you.

Support Groups

The stress of illness can be eased by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you not feel alone.

Outlook (Prognosis)

With intensive treatment, most children with rhabdomyosarcoma are able to survive long-term. Cure depends on the specific type of tumor, its location, and how much it has spread.

Possible Complications

Complications of this cancer or its treatment include:

• Complications from chemotherapy
• Location in which surgery is not possible
• Spread of the cancer (metastasis)

  Metastasis

  Metastasis is the movement or spreading of cancer cells from one organ or tissue to another. Cancer cells usually spread through the blood or the ly...

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When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider if your child has symptoms of rhabdomyosarcoma.