It is very important that children with suspected sarcoma be cared for at a hospital where specialists in children's cancer are located, such as the University of Michigan . Rhabdomyosarcoma arises in a variety of sites. Almost 40 percent arise in the head and neck. The next most common sites include the vagina, bladder , uterus, prostate, testes, extremities and trunk. Children of all ages, from newborns to teens, may develop rhabdomyosarcoma.
Symptoms depend on where the sarcoma is located.
If sarcoma is suspected, it is important that a complete evaluation of sites of disease occur to establish if the sarcoma has spread. The likelihood of cure is related to the site and extent of disease. Some tumors are best managed by initial biopsy, when the sample of tissue is removed to be examined, followed by chemotherapy and irradiation. Others have a higher chance for cure if as much tumor as possible is removed at diagnosis by the surgeon. Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant tumor of bone.