Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare form of skeletal muscle cancer that primarily affects patients under the age of 20. It can spread rapidly to other muscles and internal organs, but most patients who receive timely medical and surgical care are able to experience full recoveries. Symptoms vary, and a doctor can check for it by doing blood tests, biopsies, and diagnostic imaging scans. Treatment options include surgical removal, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare form of skeletal muscle cancer that primarily affects patients under the age of 20. In most cases, the tumors occur within the muscles of the arms or legs, but it is also possible to develop cancer of the trunk or neck. Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma can spread rapidly to other muscles and internal organs, and the outlook is better when the cancer is diagnosed and treated in its earliest stages. Most patients who receive timely medical and surgical care are able to experience full recoveries.
There are many different forms of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma that are classified based on the parts of the body they affect and the symptoms they cause. Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma is one of the most common types, accounting for approximately 20% of diagnosed cases. The term alveolar refers to the physical appearance of the affected tissue: Cancerous areas are made up of overlapping fibers that create spaces between muscle cells, similar to the alveoli of the lungs.
Doctors aren’t sure what causes cancer, but most cases are thought to be related to inherited genetic conditions or random mutations that occur during embryonic development. Tumors grow when new muscle cells fail to complete their development and die. Instead, the immature cells continue to replicate and spread across a section of muscle tissue.
Symptoms of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma can vary among different patients, depending on the stage of the cancer and the location of the tumors. The masses on the muscles near the skin may form visible lumps that are soft and tender. When the tumors are deeper within the muscle tissue, they are often painful and occasionally debilitating. Symptoms of fatigue and loss of appetite can occur as the tumor grows and the cancer begins to spread to other parts of the body. A patient who does not receive treatment is at risk of developing potentially life-threatening kidney, liver, or lung complications.
A doctor can check for alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma by doing blood tests, biopsies, and diagnostic imaging scans. Blood samples are evaluated in the laboratory to check for abnormalities, and X-rays can reveal physical tumors within the muscle tissue. When a mass is found, a specialist can extract a small tissue sample to confirm or rule out cancer.
When a tumor is discovered early, surgical removal is usually the best treatment option. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be needed if a tumor cannot be completely removed or if the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body. Compared to other aggressive tumors, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma generally responds well to chemotherapy. Because it’s possible for cancer to come back, regular screenings during childhood and adolescence are important to prevent recurring problems.
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