Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS): Information on symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

1. Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) SYMPTOMS | DIAGNOSIS|TREATMENT

2. INTRODUCTION TO RHABDOMYOSARCOMA • Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare cancer that forms in the body's soft tissues, such as muscle and connective tissue. • In rhabdomyosarcoma, the cancer cells look similar to immature muscle cells. • Rhabdomyosarcomacan affect the head, neck, bladder, vagina, arms, legs, trunk, or any body part. Cells from these tumors often grow fast and can quickly spread to other organs of the body. • There are two types of Rhabdomyosarcoma in children, namely (i) Embryonal RMS and (ii) Alveolar RMS 

3. Symptoms associated with Rhabdomyosarcoma Signs and symptoms of rhabdomyosarcoma depend on where it occurs. Children with rhabdomyosarcoma may experience the following symptoms or signs: In the nasal cavity: • Symptoms similar to a sinus infection • Nosebleed In the ear:  • Earaches, bleeding, or discharge from the ear canal • Mass growing from the earcanal

4. Symptoms associated with Rhabdomyosarcoma Behind the eye:  • May cause the eye to bulge or swell • May make the child look cross-eyed In the bladder, urinary tract, vagina, or testicle: • May cause blood in the urine and make urinating difficult • Bleeding from the vagina • Mass growing from the vagina • Rapid growth around the testicles

5. Symptoms associated with Rhabdomyosarcoma In the abdomen or pelvis: • Abdominal pain • Vomiting • Constipation In the arm or leg muscle:  • Mass, growth, lump, bump, or swelling in the leg or arm that may or may not be painful If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, you child may experience chronic cough, bone pain, enlarged lymph nodes, weakness, or weight loss. 

6. TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS FOR RHABDOMYOSARCOMA If the doctor suspects your child with rhabdomyosarcoma, he or she will perform a thorough physical exam in addition to the following tests:  • Imaging Tests:Imaging tests include CT scan, MRI, X-ray, bone scan and ultrasound. These tests are helpful in determining the size and location of the tumour. • Biopsy: A small price of cancerous tissue is removed from the body for further examination in a lab. Biopsy helps the doctor make a diagnosis and choose the right treatment.

7. TESTS AND DIAGNOSIS FOR RHABDOMYOSARCOMA • Blood Tests: Tests such as complete blood count, liver function panel and blood chemistries can also give vital information about how well the liver and other organs are functioning. • Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: These procedures are performed in children with rhabdomyosarcoma for staging purposes. Staging helps determine the extent of the cancer and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.

8. Treatment options for rhabdomyosarcoma Treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma and other soft-tissue tumours depends on the child's age and overall health. Treatment options for rhabdomyosarcoma include:  • Surgery: When the tumour is in an area that doctors can reach safely, surgery is performed to remove as much of the tumour as possible. • Radiation: This treatment uses high-energy radiation from X-rays, gamma rays to target and destroy cancer cells. • Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy works to treat cancer throughout the body. It uses drugs that are combined to attack the cancer cells in different ways.

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