Rhabdomyosarcoma

• What is Rhabdomyosarcoma?
• Rhabdomyosarcoma Symptoms
• Diagnosing Rhabdomyosarcoma
• Conventional Rhabdomyosarcoma Treatments
• Complementary & Alternative Rhabdomyosarcoma
  Treatments
• Our Cancer Hospitals

From the uncertainty of what the future holds, to the impact on your everyday life (and the lives of those close to you), a rhabdomyosarcoma diagnosis impacts every aspect your life. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma and are exploring your treatment options, please call Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) today. As a treatment facility dedicated solely to treating cancer, we have been on the leading edge of cancer treatment for decades, and continue to strive to always provide our patients with advanced forms of treatment. To learn more about the treatments we offer, and what differentiates us from other facilities, call us today at 1-800-615-3055, Email Us, or Chat Online with an Oncology Information Specialist. At CTCA, fighting cancer is all we do, and we fight to win.

What is Rhabdomyosarcoma?

A cancer that grows in the soft tissues of the body, most often in muscles, rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare disease that most often occurs in children and young adults, but can also occur in adults. Rhabdomyosarcoma are broken down into three different types: Embryonal (ERMS), alveolar (ARMS), and pleomorphic (PRMS). ERMS and ARMS typically occur in children and young adults while PRMS occurs in adults. Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare tumor of skeletal muscle phenotype, and usually develops in the large muscles of the legs and arms.

Rhabdomyosarcoma Symptoms

The potential symptoms of rhabdomyosarcoma can vary depending on the location of the tumor. In many cases, the first rhabdomyosarcoma symptom identified is a lump or hard mass. In some patients, pain may also be present. Because most cases of rhabdomyosarcoma occur in the arms and legs, this is most likely where the pain will occur.

Although these potential symptoms may be the result of something other than rhabdomyosarcoma, if you experience any of these potential symptoms of rhabdomyosarcoma, it is important that you make an appointment to visit your doctor. Only a medical professional can tell you if your symptoms are the result of rhabdomyosarcoma, or another condition.

Diagnosing Rhabdomyosarcoma

If your doctor suspects that your symptoms may be the result of rhabdomyosarcoma, a biopsy will be performed. A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of the tumor that is examined to confirm the cell type. Other tests may also be used to help evaluate the stage of the rhabdomyosarcoma.

Conventional Rhabdomyosarcoma Treatments

There are a number of factors that can play an important role in determining the most appropriate rhabdomyosarcoma treatment, including age, location of the tumor on the body, size and stage of the disease, and whether or not the cancer has metastasized to other areas of the body. At CTCA, your rhabdomyosarcoma treatment will use a powerful combination of conventional treatments, such as surgery, radiation, chemotherapy (or a combination of these), along with personalized complementary options as well.

If you would like to learn more about CTCA and our innovative approach to cancer treatment, please call 1-800-615-3055 to speak with one of our Oncology Information Specialists. You can also reach them by Email or through our Online Chat.

At CTCA, we take a personalized approach to treatment that focuses on your individual needs. Your team will take the time to sit down with you and learn about how cancer affects you as an individual. They will work with you to explain the treatment options available to you and help you to not only understand these treatment options, but to also be an active participant in creating your treatment plan. For more information, please see our Conventional Treatments Page.

Complementary & Alternative Rhabdomyosarcoma Treatments

From how your body responds to treatments, to the potential side effects you may experience, we understand that rhabdomyosarcoma will affect each person differently. With a goal to provide the most comprehensive cancer treatment plan possible, it is only natural that CTCA offers all of our patients a wide range of complementary and alternative cancer treatments to choose from as well.

These complementary therapies include nutritional therapy, mind-body medicine, pain management, physical therapy and many more. All of our complementary and alternative therapies work to improve your body’s strength and resilience and also your overall quality of life. For in-depth treatment descriptions and examples, please see our Complementary & Alternative Medicines Page.

About CTCA Cancer Hospitals

From the minute you enter our doors, you will notice that our cancer hospitals aren’t like other treatment centers. We work hard to make you feel comfortable and at home, and from the warm and welcoming décor to the attentive and personalized treatment that our doctors and caregivers provide, we succeed at this mission. CTCA is also unique in that our hospitals are designed to provide seamless care - for any of our innovative cancer therapies - under one single roof. To find a location near you and view photos, please visit our Hospitals Page.

Integrative Treatment for Rhabdomyosarcoma

A rhabdomyosarcoma diagnosis can be very overwhelming. At CTCA, we understand this. That is why our Oncology Information Specialists are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help provide you with information about CTCA and the treatment options available to you at our facilities. If you would like to learn more about the rhabdomyosarcoma treatment options available to you at CTCA, please call us at 1-800-615-3055. You can also reach us through Email or through our Online Chat