Rhabdomyosarcoma

What Is It?

Sarcomas are a type of cancer that develops from the fleshy parts of the body. Cancers from the soft tissues are sarcomas. (This type of cancer is different from a carcinoma, which develops in glandular tissue, for example, lung cancer, colon cancer pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer.) Rhabdomyosarcoma is a cancer that forms in the skeletal muscles. Skeletal muscles attach to bones. They help the body move. Most rhabdomyosarcomas occur in children and teenagers.

Rhabdomyosarcoma can occur anywhere in the body. It typically appears in the arms, legs, head and neck, bladder, reproductive organs, chest, and abdomen. Rhabdomyosarcoma can spread to other organs.