Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common form of soft tissue sarcoma in children, accounting for eight cases per 1 million people. It can also occur in adults aged 40 to 50. Tumors develop in the head and neck, arms and legs and in the vagina and genitourinary tract (canal leading to the bladder). These growths are usually large when detected and tend to spread to the lymph nodes and bone marrow. Rhabdomyosarcoma may also metastasize to any part of the body through the bloodstream and lymphatic system.
There are three subtypes of rhabdomyosarcoma:
Embryonal:
Affects infants and children and is usually found in the head and neck (70 percent) and genitalia (15 to 20 percent). Five-year survival is 70-80 percent.
Alveolar:
This highly aggressive form affects teenagers and can appear anywhere in the body. Five-year survival is greater than 50 percent.
Pleomorphic:
This rare form affects people over age 30 and usually develops in the arms and legs. Five-year survival is 50 percent.
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