ON THIS PAGE: You will find out more about changes and medical problems that can be a sign of rhabdomyosarcoma. Use the menu to see other pages.
What are the symptoms and signs of rhabdomyosarcoma?
Children with rhabdomyosarcoma may or may not experience one or more of the following signs or symptoms (see the table below). Symptoms are changes that you can feel in your body. Signs are changes in something measured, like taking your blood pressure or doing a lab test. Together, symptoms and signs can help describe a medical problem.
Some of the symptoms of rhabdomyosarcoma can be vague or may be similar to those caused by other common childhood illnesses. If you are concerned about any changes your child experiences, please talk with your child’s doctor.
Because rhabdomyosarcoma frequently occurs in areas that cause noticeable symptoms, it is often diagnosed early. A small, visible, painless lump often forms near the surface of the body, where it is more easily spotted. The symptoms of a less obvious tumor can vary depending on where it is located in the body. A larger tumor may cause pain if it is pushing on nerves or other areas of the body.
Location of Tumor |
Symptom |
|---|---|
|
Nasal cavity |
Nosebleed |
|
Ear |
Earaches, bleeding, or discharge from the ear canal |
|
Behind the eye |
May cause the eye to bulge or swell |
|
Bladder, urinary tract, vagina, or testicle |
May cause blood in the urine and make urinating difficult |
|
Abdomen or pelvis |
Abdominal pain |
|
Arm or leg muscle |
Mass, growth, lump, or swelling in the leg or arm that may or may not be painful |
If the cancer has spread, the child may experience a chronic cough, bone pain, enlarged lymph nodes, weakness, or weight loss.
If you are concerned about any changes your child experiences, please talk with your child’s doctor. The doctor will try to understand what is causing your child’s symptom(s). They may do an exam and order tests to understand the cause of the problem, which is called a diagnosis.
If cancer is diagnosed, relieving symptoms and side effects remains an important part of cancer care and treatment. Managing symptoms may also be called "palliative and supportive care," which is not the same as hospice care given at the end of life. This type of care focuses on managing symptoms and supporting people who face serious illnesses, such as cancer. You can receive palliative and supportive care at any time during cancer treatment. Learn more in this guide’s section on Coping with Treatment.
Be sure to talk with your child’s health care team about the symptoms your child experiences, including any new symptoms or a change in symptoms.
The next section in this guide is Diagnosis. It explains what tests may be needed to learn more about the cause of the symptoms. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide.