Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS)

Cancer that usually starts in muscle tissue. It occurs anywhere in the body, but mostly commonly develops in the head, neck, abdomen and genital area. RMS belongs to to a braod category of tumors called soft tissue sarcomas.

Incidence

The most common type of soft tissue cancer. 60-70% of patients are less than 10 years old, but second most common age is early to mid adolescence.

Treatment

Treatment mainly involves chemotherapy and radiotherapy. If RMS spreads beyond the primary site or reoccurs a high dose of chemotherapy or a BMT may be administered.

Follow up

Overall survival rate at five years is about 65%. If RMS is located in the eye or genitourinary tract (except bladder and prostate) than the rate is 80%. Reoccurrences after 5 years are rare.

Germ cell tumors

Germ cells tumors develop in the reproductive sex organs: testicles for boys and ovaries for girls. They travel to other parts of the body including the chest, abdomen, tailbone and brain. The most common germ cells tumors are testicular, sacral, chest and ovarian.

Incidence

Most commonly occurs in adolescents and young adults. Accounts for 15% of adolescent cancers.

Treatment

Primary treatment options are surgery and chemotherapy.

Follow up

Since combination therapy has improved 80% of patients survive. Long term follow up is necessary as relapses or reoccurrences can take place as long as 10 years from diagnosis.