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Sarcomas

 

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) 

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a very rare malignant tumor (“cancer”) that arises from a normal skeletal muscle cell. Dr. Leonard Wexler of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has written an in-depth article, Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) for our Electronic Sarcoma Update Newsletter (ESUN). His article gives an extensive set of references to articles dealing with this disease. We are grateful to Dr. Wexler, an extremely busy pediatric oncologist and researcher, for finding the time to undertake this project. Click on the above link to view his article.  

 

There are over 50 subtypes of sarcoma. The American Cancer Society's Key Statistics About Sarcoma states that the most common types of soft tissue sarcoma are: MFH or Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma (28%), liposarcoma (15%), LMS or leiomyosarcoma (12%), synovial sarcoma (10%), malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (6%), and rhabdomyosarcoma (5%). All of the other types of soft tissue sarcoma occur at percentages of 3% or less. The ACS' Key Statistics for Bone Cancer states that the most common types of bone cancer are osteosarcoma (35%), chondrosarcoma (26%), Ewing's bone sarcoma (16%), chordoma (8%), and malignant fibrous histiocytoma/fibrosarcoma (6%). Other rare bone cancers account for the remaining 9%.

 

Where else can you learn about RMS?

Steve Dunn's CancerGuide provides a very useful starting point for undertaking investigations into cancer and cancer-related issues on the Internet. Among other things, he discusses how to research the medical literature and how to use and access medical databases and online resources. He explains the medical research cycle, where to get medical references and describes the various types of papers in the medical literature, and how to find and use a medical library.

A word of caution: while the Internet is a wonderful tool to gain access to information, simply because information appears on the Internet does not necessarily indicate that it is accurate or truthful. Any heath information that you obtain on the internet should be reviewed with your physician.

Interested readers are encouraged to continue their understanding of angiosarcoma by examining the resources at the websites listed below:
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ACOR's Pediatric Oncology Resource Center

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cancerBACKUP's website

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National Cancer Institute

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Children's Cancer Web

 

Support Groups
There are several online support groups for rhabdomyosarcoma. Please consult our Links page.

The Doctor's Doctor website is designed to help the patient "get information about laboratory tests and diagnosis".
It has information related to many sarcomas, including rhabdomyosarcoma. You can access this site by clicking here.