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Illustrated Health Encyclopedia
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Ency. home > Disease > R > Rhabdomyosarcoma

Rhabdomyosarcoma   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Soft tissue sarcoma; Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma; Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma; Sarcoma botryoides

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on location of the tumor. Tumors in the nose or throat may cause bleeding, congestion, swallowing problems or neurological problems if they extend into the brain. Tumors in the vagina may be visible protruding from the opening of the vagina. Bladder and vaginal tumors may cause urinary or bowel obstruction. Tumors in the muscles may appear as a painful lump and are often thought to be an injury. However, they do not go away but continue to grow, even though they may not continue to be painful.

Diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma is often delayed because of lack of symptoms and because its appearance may coincide with a recent injury. Early diagnosis is important because rhabdomyosarcoma is an aggressive tumor that metastasizes (spreads) quickly.

Signs and Tests

  • Biopsy tumor (demonstrates rhabdomyosarcoma)
  • CT scan and/or MRI scan of the tumor site
  • CT scan of the chest to look for metastases (spread of tumor)
  • Bone scan to look for metastases (spread of tumor)
  • Bone marrow biopsy (may demonstrate metastasis)
  • Possible spinal tap to check for spread into the brain depending on the site of the tumor
  • Thorough physical exam

Ency. home > Disease > R > Rhabdomyosarcoma

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