Rhabdomyosarcoma

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Overview

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare type of cancer that starts as a growth of cells in soft tissue. Soft tissues support and connect organs and other parts of the body. Rhabdomyosarcoma most often starts in muscle tissue.

Although rhabdomyosarcoma can start 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 and testes.
  • Arms and legs.

Rhabdomyosarcoma treatment often involves surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Treatment depends on where the cancer starts, how large it grows and whether it spreads to other parts of the body.

Research into diagnosis and treatment have greatly improved the outlook for people diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma. More and more people are living for years after a rhabdomyosarcoma diagnosis.

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Diagnosis & treatment
Dec. 20, 2023
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  1. Goldblum JR, et al. Rhabdomyosarcoma. In: Enzinger and Weiss's Soft Tissue Tumors. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed July 31, 2023.
  2. Rhabdomyosarcoma. Cancer.Net. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/rhabdomyosarcoma-childhood. Accessed Aug. 2, 2023.
  3. Soft tissue sarcoma. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail?category=1&id=1464. Accessed July 31, 2023.
  4. Niederhuber JE, et al., eds. Pediatric solid tumors. In: Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed July 31, 2023.
  5. Childhood rhabdomyosarcoma treatment (PDQ). National Cancer Institute. https://www.cancer.gov/types/soft-tissue-sarcoma/hp/rhabdomyosarcoma-treatment-pdq. Accessed Aug. 2, 2023.
  6. Ami TR. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. April 5, 2023.
  7. NCCN member institutions. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://www.nccn.org/members/network.aspx. Accessed Aug. 2, 2023.
  8. Locations. Children's Oncology Group. https://www.childrensoncologygroup.org/index.php/locations. Accessed Aug. 2, 2023.

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Rhabdomyosarcoma