Rhabdomyosarcoma

Rhabdomyosarcoma is a malignant soft tissue tumor that occurs most frequently in childhood. It usually develops from muscle tissue and is the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma in children. The exact cause of rhabdomyosarcoma remains unknown.

There are two main types of rhabdomyosarcoma:

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma – the most common type, usually occurring in the head and neck region or in the genitourinary tract, though it may arise in almost any part of the body.

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma – more frequently found in the extremities, chest, abdomen, genital region, or perianal area.

Clinical signs depend on the tumor’s location and include: mass or swelling in any part of the body (sometimes painful), eye protrusion, headaches, urinary disturbances, constipation or diarrhea, blood in the urine, or bleeding from the nose, throat, vagina, or rectum.

Diagnosis involves imaging studies (ultrasound, X-ray, computed tomography [CT], magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], and bone scan), as well as biopsy of the affected area, followed by histological and immunohistochemical analysis.

Treatment typically involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

Survival rates:

In patients with low-risk rhabdomyosarcoma (about 30% of cases), survival can be excellent, 90% or higher.

For intermediate-risk patients, the 5-year overall survival rate is approximately 55–65%.

In patients with metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (15–20% of cases), survival decreases significantly to below 20%.