National Cancer Institute Last Modified: August 2, 2007 Note:
The health professional version of this summary was extensively
revised in June 2007. The patient version of this summary will
reflect these changes shortly. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a disease in
which cancer (malignant) cells begin growing in muscle tissue.
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a type of a sarcoma, which means a cancer of
the bone, soft tissues, or connective tissue (e.g., tendon or
cartilage). Rhabdomyosarcoma begins in the soft tissues in a
type of muscle called striated muscle. It can occur anywhere in
the body. Several types of sarcoma are found in children and
young adults. The cancer cells must be looked at under a
microscope to tell which type of sarcoma it is. Rhabdomyosarcoma
is the most common type of sarcoma found in the soft tissues of
children. (Refer to the PDQ® summaries on Adult Soft Tissue
Sarcoma Treatment; Childhood Soft Tissue Sarcoma Treatment; and
Ewing Family of Tumors Treatment for more information.) If your
child has symptoms of