Rhabdomyosarcoma is
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| Rhabdomyosarcoma |
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a cancer that grows from the skeletal muscle, which can be regulated movement. Skeletal muscle is not only in the arms and legs, but also in the head and neck, bladder, and chest and abdomen. The whole place is a place where rhabdomyosarcoma usually grows.
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) belongs to a rare type of cancer. There are several types of rhabdomyosarcoma, among others:
Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, the most common type of rhabdomyosarcoma that affects the head, neck, urinary, and genital muscles. Although relatively fast growing, but usually can provide good results with treatment. People with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma are children aged 6 years and under.
Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a type of rhabdomyosarcoma that is more commonly experienced by adolescents, and affects the muscles of the arms, legs, chest, or abdomen. This condition requires more intensive treatment because the tumor develops faster than the embryonal type rhabdomyosarcoma.
Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcom
Symptoms Rhabdomyosarcoma
Symptoms of rhabdomyosarcoma appear, depending on the size and location of the tumor, and the severity of the cancer experienced by the patient.
The following are some of the symptoms that may appear in certain body areas:
-Tumors of the neck, chest, back, arm, limb and crotch (including testes) - symptoms of a lump that can sometimes cause pain and redness.
-Tumors around the eye muscle - resulting in eye-like bulging out, looking like cross-eyed eyes, and vision are also disrupted.
-Tumors of the stomach - symptoms of vomiting, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel pattern.
-Tumors in the bladder, vagina, or prostate - a form of blood coming out of the urine or bleeding from the vagina. A very large tumor can cause difficulty urinating or defecating.
-Tumors in the ears and nose - symptoms of ear pain, nasal congestion, and nosebleeds and blood from the ear.
When the tumor gets worse or has spread to other organs it can cause tingling and muscle weakness caused by depressed nerves, as well as cough, spasms, pallor, and bone pain, depending on the spread of the tumor.
Causes of Rhabdomyosarcoma
Until now, the exact cause of rhabdomyosarcoma is unknown. Like other cancers, rhabdomyosarcoma occurs due to abnormal growth of cells. Several factors that are thought to increase a person's risk of rhabdomyosarcoma include:
-Suffer from genetic disorders, such as type 1 neurofibromatosis, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, Costello syndrome, and Noonan syndrome.
-Exposure to radiation while still in the womb.
-Using marijuana and cocaine during pregnancy.
-Alcohol addiction during pregnancy.
Diagnosis and Stadium Rhabdomyosarcoma
To ensure rhabdomyosarcoma, the doctor will carry out a series of checks. The series of tests included a complete blood test, including blood cell counts that showed anemia, as well as liver function tests and lactate dehydrogenase showed improvement. Blood tests to see kidney function and urine test will be performed when there is bloody urination.
In addition to blood and urine tests, imaging can also be performed to determine the location of the tumor and see the spread. Examination can be done in the form of X-rays, CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, Bone scan, and PET scan. But the imaging examination can not confirm the type of tumor. The type of tumor can only be confirmed by examination of tissue samples examined under a microscope (biopsy).
Sometimes aspiration of bone marrow aspiration is also needed to see the spread.
In patients diagnosed with rhabdomysarcoma, the doctor will determine the stage to determine the course of treatment to be performed. Cancer cell stages are divided into four stages or stages, namely:
Stage 1. In this condition, tumors containing cancer cells begin in the muscles around the eyes, coconut and neck (except near the lining of the brain), urinary and genital tract (except the bladder and prostate), and bile ducts. Tumors can attack the lymph nodes and surrounding areas, but have not spread far. The size of the tumor also varies.
Stage 2. Cancer cells that originate in bladder and prostate muscles, arms and legs, muscles near the lining of the brain, and other muscles other than those mentioned in stage 1. Tumors are maximally 5 cm in size and have not spread to other areas, including lymph nodes and the area around.
Stage 3. Tumor originally the same as stage 2, can be maximal size 5 cm but has spread to lymph nodes around, or measuring more than 5 cm. The tumor has not spread to more distant places.
Stage 4. At this stage, there has been metastasis or spread of cancer cells to other organs, such as the lungs, liver, bone, or bone marrow.