Rhabdomyosarcoma 549895 222077880 2008-06-27T13:25:37Z 196.207.47.60 {{Infobox_Disease | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Image = | Caption = | DiseasesDB = 11485 | ICD10 = {{ICD10|C|49||c|45}}.M50 | ICD9 = {{ICD9|171.9}} | ICDO = {{ICDO|8900|3}}-{{ICDO|8920|3}} | OMIM = | MedlinePlus = 001429 | eMedicineSubj = ent | eMedicineTopic = 641 | eMedicine_mult = {{eMedicine2|ped|2005}} | MeshID = D012208 }} A '''rhabdomyosarcoma''' is a type of [[cancer]], specifically a [[sarcoma]] (cancer of [[connective tissue]]s), in which the cancer cells are thought to arise from [[skeletal muscle]] progenitors. It can also be found attached to muscle tissue, wrapped around intestines, or anywhere, to include the neck area. It is most common in children ages one to five, and is also found in teens aged 15 to 19, although this is more rare. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a relatively rare form of cancer. Its two most common forms are embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. In the former, which is more common in younger children, the cancer cells resemble those of a typical 6-to-8-week embryo. In the latter, which is more common in older children and teenagers, they resemble those of a typical 10-to-12-week embryo. ==Diagnosis== When rhabdomyosarcoma is suspected, tests will be run for blood, muscle, and marrow. Diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma depends on recognition of [[differentiation]] toward skeletal muscle cells. The protein ''myo D1'' is a protein normally found in developing skeletal muscle cells which disappears after the muscle matures and becomes innervated by a [[nerve]]. Thus, myo D1 is not found in normal skeletal muscle and serves as a useful immunohistochemical marker of rhabdomyosarcoma. Early manifestation can be misdiagnosed as a pseudotumor that is non responsive to steroid treatment. ==Treatment== Treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma consists of [[chemotherapy]], [[radiation therapy]] and sometimes [[surgery]]. Surgery to remove the tumor is often difficult or impossible because the tumor is usually embedded deep within the tissue, leaving it difficult to reach. If a tumor presents itself in the extremities, amputation is often necessary to improve chances of survival. If there is no evidence of metastasis, surgery combined with chemotherapy and radiation offer the best prognosis. Patients whose tumors have metastasized usually have a poor chance for long-term survival. In patients who began treatment before metastasis, the prognosis is better, although the disease is generally incurable because the tumors that cannot be surgically removed tend to spread. ==Tungsten Alloy and RMS== Studies have shown a link between Tungsten alloy and RMS. <ref>[http://www.afrri.usuhs.mil/www/outreach/pdf/tungsten_cancer.pdf]</ref> ==See also== *[[Rhabdomyoma]] *[[Sarcoma botryoides]] ==External links== * [http://www.acor.org/ped-onc/diseases/rhabdo.html Ped-Onc Resource Center] * [http://www.liddyshriversarcomainitiative.org/Newsletters/V01N04/RMS/rms.htm Rhabdomyosarcoma by Leonard Wexler, MD] * [http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_is_rhabdomyosarcoma_53.asp?sitearea=] * [http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/peds_oncology/rhabdo.cfm] {{Soft tissue tumors and sarcomas}} [[Category:Anatomical pathology]] [[Category:Types of cancer]] [[de:Rhabdomyosarkom]] [[es:Rabdomiosarcoma]] [[pl:Mięsak prążkowanokomórkowy]]