ON THIS PAGE: You will find out more about changes and other things that can signal a problem that may need medical care. Use the menu to see other pages.
Children with rhabdomyosarcoma may or may not experience 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 by 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.
Your child’s doctor will ask you questions about the symptoms your child is experiencing to help figure out the cause of the problem, called a diagnosis. This may include asking how long and how often your child has been experiencing the symptom(s).
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 care" or "supportive care." It is often started soon after diagnosis and continued throughout 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.