Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare type of cancer that originates in the soft tissue, specifically in the cells that form muscles. It is most commonly diagnosed in children and adolescents, but it can also occur in adults.

There are several subtypes of rhabdomyosarcoma, including embryonal, alveolar, pleomorphic, and spindle cell/sclerosing. Each subtype has its own distinct characteristics and treatment options.

Symptoms of rhabdomyosarcoma can vary depending on the location of the tumor but can include pain, swelling, and a noticeable lump or mass in the affected area. Other symptoms may include unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and fever.

Treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma typically involves a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. The specific treatment plan will depend on the subtype of rhabdomyosarcoma, as well as the location and stage of the tumor. In some cases, additional treatments such as immunotherapy or targeted therapy may be recommended.

The prognosis for rhabdomyosarcoma can vary depending on the subtype, stage, and location of the tumor, as well as the patient's overall health. While the treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma can be intense, many patients are able to achieve long-term remission with appropriate care.

It's not clear what causes rhabdomyosarcoma.

Doctors know that rhabdomyosarcoma begins when a cell develops changes in its DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do. The changes tell the cell to multiply quickly and to go on living when healthy cells would normally die. The result is a mass (tumor) of abnormal cells that can invade and destroy healthy body tissue. The abnormal cells can break away and spread (metastasize) throughout the body.

Rhabdomyosarcoma treatment usually involves a combination of treatments, including chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy.

Which treatments your doctor recommends will depend on the location of the cancer, the size of the tumor, whether the cells are aggressive, and whether the cancer is confined to one area (localized rhabdomyosarcoma) or it has spread to other areas of the body (metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma).

Surgery

The goal of surgery is to remove all of the cancer cells. But it's not always possible to do that if the rhabdomyosarcoma has grown around or near organs or other important structures. When the cancer can't be removed completely with surgery, doctors may remove as much as possible and then use other treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, to kill any cancer cells that might remain.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells. The treatment usually involves a combination of drugs, which are usually administered through a vein. Which drugs are given and how often varies depending on your particular situation.

Chemotherapy is often used after surgery or radiation therapy to kill any cancer cells that might remain. It can also be used before other treatments to shrink a tumor to make surgery or radiation therapy more effective.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays and protons, to kill cancer cells. It's usually done with a machine that moves around you as it aims the radiation at precise points on the body.

Radiation therapy might be recommended after surgery to kill any cancer cells that remain. It can also be used instead of surgery when the rhabdomyosarcoma is located in an area where surgery isn't possible because of nearby organs or other important structures.

Clinical trials

Clinical trials are studies to investigate new ways of treating cancer. Ask your doctor or your child's doctor about whether you may be eligible to join a trial.