Rhabdomyosarcoma is a type of sarcoma involving uncontrolled growth of skeletal muscle cells. This muscle cancer is classified as a childhood cancer because it most often occurs in children.
Rhabdomyosarcoma can cause malignant tumors anywhere skeletal muscle is present. However, the most common sites for skeletal muscle cancer to arise are head, neck, prostate, bladder and vagina.
The cause of rhabdomyosarcoma is unknown, but a gene mutation elevates your risk. And this cause for a malignant tumor is rare.
The most common symptom caused by rhabdomyosarcoma is a painful or painless mass. When malignant tumors affect your arm or leg skeletal muscles they can often be mistaken for a bruise or injury.
Skeletal muscle malignant tumors in your nose or throat may cause:
Muscle cancer around your eyes may cause:
Rhabdomyosarcoma tumors in your ears may cause:
- ear pain
- ear swelling
- hearing loss
Malignant tumors affecting your bladder, prostate and vagina may cause:
- hematuria
- incontinence
- poor urine control
- trouble starting urination
- recurring urinary tract infections
Surgical removal, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the standards used to treat skeletal muscle malignant tumors caused by rhabdomyosarcoma muscle cancer.