BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuRhabdomyosarcomaSoft tissue cancer - rhabdomyosarcoma; Soft tissue sarcoma; Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma; Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma; Sarcoma botryoidesRhabdomyosarcoma 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 tumorsVaginal cancer is cancer of the vagina, a female reproductive organ.Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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 CT scan of the chest to look for spread of the tumor CT scan of the tumor site CT scanA 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...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Bone marrow biopsy (may show the cancer has spread) Bone scan to look for spread of the tumor Bone scanA bone scan is an imaging test used to diagnose bone diseases and find out how severe they are.Read Article Now Book Mark Article MRI scan of the tumor site MRIA 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...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) Lumbar punctureCerebrospinal 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...Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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.Cancer support groupThe following organizations are good resources for information on cancer:American Cancer Society. Support and online communities. www. cancer. org/...Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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)MetastasisMetastasis 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...Read Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your provider if your child has symptoms of rhabdomyosarcoma.Open ReferencesReferencesDome JS, Rodriguez-Galindo C, Spunt SL, Santana VM. Pediatric solid tumors. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 92.Goldblum JR, Folpe AL, Weiss SW. Rhabdomyosarcoma. In: Goldblum JR, Folpe AL, Weiss SW, eds. Enzinger and Weiss's Soft Tissue Tumors. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 19.National Cancer Institute website. Childhood rhabdomyosarcoma treatment (PDQ) health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/soft-tissue-sarcoma/hp/rhabdomyosarcoma-treatment-pdq. Updated March 2, 2022. Accessed June 9, 2022.AllVideoImagesTogRelated Information Tumor(Condition)Metastasis(Special Topic) Review Date: 1/25/2022 Reviewed By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. 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RhabdomyosarcomaSoft tissue cancer - rhabdomyosarcoma; Soft tissue sarcoma; Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma; Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma; Sarcoma botryoidesRhabdomyosarcoma 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 tumorsVaginal cancer is cancer of the vagina, a female reproductive organ.Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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 CT scan of the chest to look for spread of the tumor CT scan of the tumor site CT scanA 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...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Bone marrow biopsy (may show the cancer has spread) Bone scan to look for spread of the tumor Bone scanA bone scan is an imaging test used to diagnose bone diseases and find out how severe they are.Read Article Now Book Mark Article MRI scan of the tumor site MRIA 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...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) Lumbar punctureCerebrospinal 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...Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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.Cancer support groupThe following organizations are good resources for information on cancer:American Cancer Society. Support and online communities. www. cancer. org/...Read Article Now Book Mark Article 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)MetastasisMetastasis 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...Read Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Call your provider if your child has symptoms of rhabdomyosarcoma.Open ReferencesReferencesDome JS, Rodriguez-Galindo C, Spunt SL, Santana VM. Pediatric solid tumors. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 92.Goldblum JR, Folpe AL, Weiss SW. Rhabdomyosarcoma. In: Goldblum JR, Folpe AL, Weiss SW, eds. Enzinger and Weiss's Soft Tissue Tumors. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 19.National Cancer Institute website. Childhood rhabdomyosarcoma treatment (PDQ) health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/soft-tissue-sarcoma/hp/rhabdomyosarcoma-treatment-pdq. Updated March 2, 2022. Accessed June 9, 2022.