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Cancer is something that affects many people all over the world. It’s a horrible, deadly disease that is all the worse because it progresses so quickly in many cases and we don’t yet know how to cure it. And part of the reason that cancer is so hard for us to cure is that there are so many different kinds. For instance, let’s look at rhabdomyosarcoma.
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a form of cancer that begins in the cells of the skeletal system. And it can be a devastating diagnosis because it is often difficult to treat. So, what is this condition? What are the symptoms? And what can you do to treat it?
What Is Rhabdomyosarcoma?
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a form of cancer that develops in the connective tissue of the skeletal system. You see, cancer is caused by the rapid replication of damaged cells. Your DNA is the basic building blueprint of all the cells in your body. And every day, your cells use this blueprint to replicate themselves. But sometimes, the DNA can become damaged. As a result, some cells become defective and replicate too quickly, consuming other cells in the body.
This is the basic mechanism behind rhabdomyosarcoma. The thing that separates this condition from other forms of cancer is the cells that are affected. This form of cancer affects a group of cells called rhabdomyoblasts. Rhabdomyoblasts are cells that form the skeleton and connective tissues. These cells generally settle into their role within the first few years of a child’s life, which is why children are most often affected by the condition, but it can also occur in adults.
There are a number of areas that can be affected by this form of cancer including the entire skeleton and even the sinus cavities or reproductive organs.
In cases of adults affected, the cancer is usually a specific subtype called alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. This form of cancer tends to develop in the larger cells of the arms or torso and expands rapidly.
We aren’t sure what causes cells to become cancerous, but in the case of rhabdomyoblasts, the answer is probably genetic. Certain people’s DNA may be more susceptible to developing these forms of cancers than others.
What Are The Symptoms?
The symptoms depend on where the cancer is within the body and how large it is. As the tumor expands, it usually causes more severe symptoms. And in the early stages, you may not notice any symptoms at all.
The most common symptoms include:
- Painful lumps or swelling in areas near the cancer.
- Tumors near the eyes might cause the eye to bulge and affect vision.
- Tumors in the ear might lead to headaches and sinus congestion.
- Tumors in the bladder can cause blood to appear in the urine.
- Tumors in the abdomen lead to vomiting, pain, and constipation.
- A constant cough, bone pain, weakness, and weight loss.
It’s important to remember that most tumors won’t cause these symptoms until they’ve already reached a significant stage of development. So, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye out for any of the early warning signs and see a doctor as soon as you notice any of these symptoms.
How Can You Treat It?
Treatment of any form of cancer is significantly easier in the early stages before the tumor has had time to spread. Most cancers go through four stages, judging by size and symptoms, and in most cases, the chance of successful treatment drops by a larger percentage in each stage. That’s why early detection is so vital.
A doctor will typically diagnose cancer by asking questions about your symptoms and family history. They will then perform a physical exam around the body looking for signs of lumps or swelling. Finally, they will order x-rays to look into the affected tissue to see if they can spot a tumor.
Once you have been diagnosed with this form of cancer, the first step is to remove as much of the tumor as possible. Typically, surgery is combined with some form of radiation or chemotherapy to accomplish this.
The idea is that the radiation therapy, which consists of blasting the tumor with focused radiation, or chemotherapy, which uses cell-destroying chemicals, can help to destroy the cells of the tumor and stop it from growing.
In terms of surgery, the goal is to remove as much of the tumor as possible. Any bit of it left behind has the potential to regrow into a new tumor.
Just remember, that as with all cancers, you should be aware of the early signs and get checked out as soon as possible. Early detection can save lives.
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