Childhood Cancer Facts

"Rhabdomyosarcoma" (Tumor affecting Muscles)

Incidence:

• Accounts for 5-8% of all childhood cancers. Usually affects children ages 2 to 6 and 15 to 19 years old. It is the fifth most common form of pediatric cancer.

Survival Rate:

• Low-grade - 67-80%
• Intermediate-grade - 50%
• Advanced-grade - Less than 32%

Causes:

• Largely unknown.

Description:

• Rhabdomyosarcoma is a fast-growing, highly malignant tumor, which accounts for over half of the soft tissue sarcomas in children. They arise from a cell called "rhabdomyoblasts", which is a primitive muscle cell. The Rhabdomyoblasts grow out of control. Since this type of muscle is located throughout the body, the tumors can appear at numerous locations. The four major sites are; head and neck - around the eyes, genitourinary tract, extremities, chest and lungs.

Current Treatment Options:

• The prognosis is affected by the location of the primary tumor. Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma is considered the most treatable form of the disease. Surgery is usually the primary treatment, followed by intensive chemotherapy and radiation.