Presented by: Corey MinerCMA 132

RHABDOMYOSARCOMA

Presented by: Charlotte Peck

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.

Where does Rhabdomyosarcoma occur?

It can occur in many places in the body. Some of thesemay 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.

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.

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.

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

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 patientwith 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.

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

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?”...

Meet Dorian:

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.

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!

References:

American Cancer Society: Rhabdomyosarcoma

MedlinePlus: Rhabdomyosarcoma

Dorian’s Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/PrayingForDorian