ABOUT RHABDOMYOSARCOMA
In the most basic of terms, rhabdomyosarcoma is a type of sarcoma. Sarcomas are cancers that develop from connective tissues in the body, such as muscles, fat, bones, the linings of joints, or blood vessels. Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma in children.
The most common sites for this tumor to be found include the head, neck, bladder, vagina, arms, legs and trunk. The cancer cells associated with this disease can spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body.
In children, there are two major subtypes of rhabdomyosarcoma:
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Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS): Tends to occur in younger children.
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Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS): More commonly found in adolescents.
There are many online resources regarding rhabdomyosarcoma if you want to truly understand the disease. Here are some we recommend:
