Rhabdomyosarcoma is a malignant (cancerous), soft tissue tumor found in children. The most common sites are the structures of the head and neck, the urogenital tract, and the arms or legs.
The cause of rhabdomyosarcoma is unknown. It is a rare tumor with only several hundred new cases per year throughout the United States. Some children with certain birth defects are at increased risk, and some families have a gene mutation that elevates risk. However, the vast majority of children with rhabdomyosarcoma do not have any known risk factors.
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 visibly 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 the tumor may appear at the same time as a recent injury. Early diagnosis is important because rhabdomyosarcoma is an aggressive tumor that spreads quickly.
Liver disease (3 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
The term "liver disease" applies to many diseases and disorders that cause the liver to function improperly or cease functioning. Abnormal results of liver function tests often suggest liver disease. See also: Amebic liver abscess; Autoimmune hepatitis; Biliary atresia; Cirrhosis; Coccidioidomycosis; disseminated; Delta agent (Hepatitis D; Drug-induced cholestasis; Hemochromatosis; Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Liver cancer; Liver disease due to alcohol; Primary biliary cirrhosis; Pyogenic liver abscess; Reye's syndrome; Sclerosing cholangitis; Wilson's disease. Reviewer: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-TorresdaleHospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 07/28/2006
Esophageal cancer (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Esophageal cancer is a malignant (cancerous) tumor of the esophagus, the muscular tube that transports food from the mouth to the stomach. Reviewer: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided byVeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/26/2006
Cancer - renal pelvis or ureter (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
The kidneys collect urine in a section called the pelvis. The pelvis and its subdivisions (calyces) empty urine into a tube called the ureter, which leads to the bladder. Cancer can grow in this urine collection system, but is uncommon. Reviewer: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 09/11/2006
Cancer - throat or larynx (2 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Cancer of the throat is cancer of the vocal cords, voice box (larynx), or other areas of the throat. Reviewer: William Matsui, MD, Assistant Professor of Oncology, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 05/03/2006
Salivary gland disorders (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Salivary gland disorders refer to conditions that cause swelling or pain in the saliva-producing tissues around the mouth. Reviewer: Ravindra Uppaluri, MD. Otolaryngologist, Private Practice, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 01/30/2007
Bladder cancer (3 images)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Bladder cancer is a malignant tumor within the bladder. In the United States, bladder cancers usually¿start from the cells lining the bladder (transitional cells. These tumors may be classified based on their growth pattern: Papillary tumorshave a wart-like appearance and are attached to a stalk; Nonpapillary tumors are much less common, but they are more invasive and have a poorer prognosis. Reviewer: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 12/01/2005
Tumor
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
A tumor is an abnormal growth of body tissue. Tumors can be cancerous (malignant) or non-cancerous (benign. Reviewer: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 09/11/2006
Salivary gland tumors (1 image)(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Salivary gland tumors are abnormal cells growing in the ducts that drain the salivary glands. Reviewer: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 10/31/2006
Cancer
Average Rating:
(Doctor-Reviewed information)
Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body. Cancerous cells are also called malignant cells. Reviewer: Rita Nanda, M.D., Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.Date: 09/11/2006
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