Rhabdomyosarcoma Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a type of sarcoma that originates from striated muscles (muscles that function to move the body). Sarcoma itself is a cancer that forms from soft tissue in the body, such as from muscle, fat cells, bones, joints, or blood vessels.
This type of cancer can develop anywhere. However, rhabdomyosarcoma is more often found on the head, neck, stomach, and chest. In addition, it is also quite common in children.
There are three types of rhabdomyosarcoma, namely:
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Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma
This type is classified as aggressive and growing fast enough. Cancer usually starts in the feet, hands or trunk.
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Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma
This type of rhabdomyosarcoma usually originates in the reproductive organs, head, neck, or bladder. This cancer is more common in children under the age of five.
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Anaplastic rhabdomyosarcoma
This type is quite rare and affects adults more often than children.
Rhabdomyosarcoma Symptom
Rhabdomyosarcoma can appear anywhere, but this cancer is most often found in several parts of the body, such as:
- Head and neck area, especially around the eyes, in the nasal sinuses, or in the spine
- Bladder or prostate gland
- Arms and legs
- Chest and belly
Rhabdomyosarcoma which is in the neck, chest, back, arms and legs gives symptoms of a lump in the affected location. Generally, the lump grows quickly, can be accompanied by pain and redness.
Rhabdomyosarcoma which is found around the eyes usually makes the eyes protrude outside and causes visual acuity to be disturbed. Meanwhile, rhabdomyosarcoma in the ear and in the nasal sinuses can cause complaints of ear pain, headaches, and nasal congestion.
Rhabdomyosarcoma in the bladder or prostate causing bloody urine. Rhabdomyosarcoma which is found in the stomach causes intestinal obstruction which is characterized by abdominal pain, vomiting, and difficulty defecating.
Rhabdomyosarcoma Reason
The exact cause of rhabdomyosarcoma is not known. However, this condition is basically associated with the development of the fetus while still in the womb. While the fetus is still developing in the womb, prospective striated muscles called rhabdomyoblasts will begin to form in the 7th week of pregnancy.
Under normal circumstances, the rhabdomyoblast will divide and slowly form striated muscle. However, if excessive division occurs, rhabdomyosarcoma can occur. This is what causes this cancer to be more common in children, especially in children aged 1-10 years.
Diagnosis
To determine the presence of rhabdomyosarcoma, several tests are performed, namely:
- CT- scan or MRI with contrast: Before carrying out a CT- scan or MRI, the patient will be given an injection of a contrast substance. It aims to color the body parts that have cancer. After that, a CT scan or MRI is done.
If there is cancer, there will be parts of the body that are brightly colored which can be seen from the two examinations. Through this examination, it can be determined where
- Bone scan: this examination aims to see whether the rhabdomyosarcoma has spread to the bone.
- Biopsy: to confirm rhabdomyosarcoma, it is necessary to do a biopsy by taking a small sample of tissue through surgery. Then the sample is observed under a microscope.
Rhabdomyosarcoma Treatment
Treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma requires the cooperation of multi-disciplinary doctors, including orthopedic surgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists, anatomical pathologists, and psychiatrists.
Treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma depends on the stage of the cancer. But in general, as much as possible surgical removal of the tumor needs to be done. Followed by chemotherapy and radiation to clean up the remaining cancer cells.
If surgery is not possible because the size of the tumor is too large, chemotherapy and/or radiation is done first to reduce the size of the tumor. After that, the operation was carried out.
Prevention
Until now there is no action that can be done to prevent rhabdomyosarcoma.