2. What is Rhabdomyosarcoma?
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a cancerous malignant tumor
of the muscles that attach to bone.
Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue
cancer in children.
3. Where does Rhabdomyosarcoma occur?
It can occur in many places in the body. Some of these
may include the head or neck, the urogenital tract, or the
arms or legs.
Depending on where the tumor(s) is/are located the
symptoms can vary. For example, tumors around the eye may
cause bulging of the eye, problems with vision, swelling, or
pain. While muscle tumors in the arms or legs may lead to a
painful lump and are often thought to be an injury from play.
4. Who can get Rhabdomyosarcoma?
Rhabdomyosarcoma is most commonly found
in children.
Usually by the time the cancer is found it is at
a higher stage because this is a type of cancer
with little or no symptoms in earlier stages.
5. When can Rhabdomyosarcoma be treated?
It is very important to begin treatment right away!
This is mainly because of the ability this cancer
has to spread, especially since it usually is not
found early on.
6. How is Rhabdomyosarcoma found?
There are many tests that are done to diagnose
Rhabdomyosarcoma.
• Some of these tests include:
• Chest X-Ray
• CT Scan
• Biopsy of the tumor
• Bone Scan
• Bone Marrow biopsy
• Ultrasound
7. How is Rhabdomyosarcoma treated?
Once found, treatment of Rhabdomyosarcoma is very
aggressive. There are many different protocols depending
on the stage and location of the cancer, and the age of the
patient.
For example: a protocol for a four year old patient
with tumors in the leg and chest may be;
54 weeks, or 20 cycles of Chemotherapy and 53 Radiation
treatments.
This would also include surgery to remove the mass in the leg
after the initial chemotherapy treatment but BEFORE
Radiation therapy.
8. How is Rhabdomyosarcoma treated? (cont.)
Standard treatment is done by what is called VAC therapy. VAC is a
combination of the
drugs, Vincristine, Dactinomycin, Cyclophosphamide.
A more detailed protocol is ARST8P1. This consists of the
standard VAC therapy, plus the use of the following drugs:
Ifosfamide
Etoposide
Doxorubicin
Irinotecan
This “coctail” is described as High Intensity Chemotherapy
9. Why does Rhabdomyosarcoma occur?
While researchers have yet to determine
why this cancer occurs or what exactly
causes it there is another “Why” question I
would like to answer. “Why did I choose
Rhabdomyosarcoma?”...
11. Dorian is a 5 year old patient at the pediatric office where I work.
On April 15, 2012 Dorian came into the office complaining of pain in
his right leg. After the doctor examined him, she came out of the exam
room and into the nurses station, where I happened to be standing. She
looked at me and said “I really hope this isn’t cancer, I will never forget
that feeling as long as I live” (she was referring to the feeling of the mass
on Dorian’s right calf, she compared it to the feeling of a rubber
chicken), my heart sank, and from that moment on, before we even knew
anything, Dorian had my heart. On April 19, 2012 we got the results
from all of the tests, Stage 4 Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma. At 4pm that
afternoon, as I was walking out the door to go home, Dorian was
walking in with his mom and dad. They had no idea what was coming,
but I did. I smiled and said hello to Dorian and continued out to my car.
I couldn’t help but cry. “How could this happen to such a sweet,
innocent little boy” “Why Dorian” I said to myself. I will never forget
that day. As I’m sure his parents won’t either.
12. As of April 25, 2013 I am happy to report that Dorian is doing well and
totally kicking cancers butt! He has officially completed all in patient
treatments and now only has to go to clinic for the last of his treatment.
While the road has had many ups and downs, Dorian has faced them all
like a champ! He is the strongest kid I know and his mom is absolutely
amazing. I give her so much credit for the strength she has had for
Dorian through this very difficult, but also very rewarding, past year. To
see where Dorian was just a few short months ago and look at him
today is an absolute miracle and I am so happy to say I know this kid.
He certainly is one of a kind. Keep kickin butt D, you got this!
13. References:
American Cancer Society: Rhabdomyosarcoma
MedlinePlus: Rhabdomyosarcoma
Dorian’s Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/PrayingForDorian
