Overview

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare cancer that forms in soft tissue — specifically skeletal muscle tissue or sometimes in hollow organs such as the bladder or uterus. RMS can occur at any age, but it most often affects children.

Although RMS can arise anywhere in the body, it's more likely to start in the:

• Head and neck area
• Urinary system, such as the bladder
• Reproductive system, such as the vagina, uterus or testes
• Arms and legs

The outlook (prognosis) and treatment decisions depend on the type of rhabdomyosarcoma, where it starts, tumor size and whether the cancer has spread. Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Major advancements in the treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma have significantly improved outcomes. After completion of treatment, people need lifelong monitoring for potential late effects of intense chemotherapy and radiation.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of rhabdomyosarcoma depend on where the cancer is located.

For example, if the cancer is in the head or neck area, signs and symptoms may include, among others:

• Headache
• Bulging or swelling of the eyes
• Bleeding in the nose, throat or ears

If the cancer is in the urinary or reproductive system, signs and symptoms may include, among others:

• Trouble urinating and blood in the urine
• Difficulty with bowel movements
• A mass or bleeding in the vagina or rectum

If the cancer is in the arms or legs, signs and symptoms may include, among others:

• Swelling or a lump in the arm or leg
• Pain in the affected area, though sometimes there is no pain

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Causes

The cause of rhabdomyosarcoma is unknown, and it appears to occur sporadically. But having certain rare inherited syndromes may slightly increase the risk of RMS.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Diagnosis

Usually, signs and symptoms lead parents to seek medical help for their child. The first steps typically include a physical exam, discussion of medical history, a complete blood count and other lab tests.

The doctor may recommend one or more of these imaging tests to locate the cancer and find out if it has spread:

• X-ray
• Computerized tomography (CT)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Positron emission tomography (PET)
• Bone scan

Biopsy

The doctor may recommend a procedure to remove a sample of tissue (biopsy) from the tumor for lab testing. Testing can show whether the tissue is cancerous and, if so, what type of cancer.

Types of biopsy procedures used to diagnose rhabdomyosarcoma include:

• Needle biopsy. The doctor inserts a thin needle through the skin and guides it into the tumor. The needle is used to remove small pieces of tissue from the tumor.
• Surgical biopsy. The doctor makes an incision through the skin and removes either the entire tumor (excisional biopsy) or a portion of the tumor (incisional biopsy).

Determining the type of biopsy needed and the specifics of how it should be performed requires careful planning by the medical team. Doctors need to perform the biopsy in a way that won't interfere with future surgery to remove the cancer. For this reason, ask your doctor for a referral to a team of experts with extensive experience in treating rhabdomyosarcoma before the biopsy.

After the diagnosis, the extent (stage) of the cancer needs to be determined — whether and how far it has spread. Localized rhabdomyosarcoma has not spread beyond its origin or nearby tissues. Metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma has spread to other areas of the body. The cancer stage guides treatment options.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Complications

Rhabdomyosarcoma can spread from where it started to other areas, making treatment and recovery more difficult.

As with other types of serious cancer, aggressive chemotherapy and radiation for rhabdomyosarcoma can cause substantial side effects, both in the short and long term. The health care team takes steps to treat and manage these effects as best as possible. And it's important for you to learn what to watch for and contact your team with any concerns.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Prevention

Rhabdomyosarcoma can't be prevented. In rare cases, it's possible that a family history of cancer at a young age may increase the risk of RMS, but RMS is not inherited. And there is no known link to any lifestyle or environmental issues.

Any signs or symptoms should be checked out as soon as possible.

Coping and support

A diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma can be frightening — especially for the family of a newly diagnosed child. With time you'll find ways to cope with the distress and uncertainty of cancer. Until then, you may find it helps to:

• Learn enough about rhabdomyosarcoma to make decisions about care. Ask your doctor about this sarcoma, including treatment options. As you learn more, you may become more confident in understanding and making decisions about treatment options. If your child has cancer, ask the health care team for guidance on sharing this information in a caring and age-appropriate way.
• Keep friends and family close. Keeping your close relationships strong can help you deal with cancer. Friends and relatives can provide the practical support you'll need, such as helping take care of your house if your child is in hospital. And they can serve as emotional support when you feel overwhelmed.
• Ask about mental health support. The concern and understanding of a counselor, medical social worker, psychologist or other mental health professional also may help you. If your child has cancer, ask your health care team for advice on providing emotional and social support and options for professional mental health support. You can also check online for a cancer organization, such as the American Cancer Society, that lists support services.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Risk factors

In most cases, children with rhabdomyosarcoma have no family history of cancer. More research is needed, but the risk of the embryonal type of RMS appears to increase in people with a first-degree relative — parent, sibling or child — with cancer, especially when relatives were diagnosed with cancer before the age of 30.

In rare cases, RMS may be linked with neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue. Though more confirming research is needed, in rare cases, RMS may be linked with certain inherited syndromes such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome or Costello syndrome.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com