Rhabdomyosarcomas are also more common in children with neurofibromatosis or Li-Frameni syndrome, which are genetic disorders. Li-Frameni syndrome is a clustering of soft tissue cancers in a family, caused by mutations in a tumor suppressor gene called p53, which results in uncontrolled cell growth. There has been no association between rhabdomyosarcoma and environmental exposures. The following are the most common symptoms of rhabdomyosarcoma. However, each child may experience symptoms differently.
Many symptoms depend on the size and the location of the tumor.
Symptoms may not be present until the tumor is very large, especially if it is located deep in the muscle or in the stomach. The symptoms of rhabdomyosarcoma may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your child s physician for a diagnosis. A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general x-rays.