pediatrics
Rhabdomyosarcoma
Symptoms and Signs of Rhabdomyosarcoma
Children do not typically have systemic symptoms such as fever, night sweats, or weight loss. Usually, children present with a firm, palpable mass or with organ dysfunction due to impingement on the organ by the cancer. Orbital and nasopharyngeal cancersmay cause tearing, eye pain, or proptosis. Nasopharyngeal cavity cancers may cause nasal congestion, a change in voice, or mucopurulent discharge. Genitourinary cancerscause abdominal pain, a palpable abdominal mass, difficulty urinating, and hematuria. Vaginal tumors can manifest with mucosanguineous discharge with a polypoid mass protruding from the vagina. Extremity cancersappear as firm, indiscrete masses anywhere on the arms or legs. Regional lymph node spread occurs frequently, and metastases in the lungs, bone marrow, and lymph nodes can occur and usually do not cause symptoms. 