Pleomorphic type . Usually seen in adults and arises in muscles of the extremities. Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma is considered the most treatable form of the disease. The prognosis is also affected by the location of the primary tumor. Orbital and genitourinary track rhabdomyosarcomas have a better prognosis than do tumors which originate in the head and neck, extremity, pelvic, and trunk locations.
Prognosis also depends on the stage of the tumor.
The Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Group has defined a set of guidelines, which assign the tumor to groups 1-4 depending on the extent of the disease. For more information, see the PDQ on the staging of rhabdomyosarcoma. Treatment Rhabdomyosarcoma is treated by a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. If necessary after chemotherapy or radiation has shrunk the tumor. External beam radiation is used in some cases of rhabdomyosarcoma.