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Rhabdomyosarcoma
Family seeks assistance 14 Mar 2006
Corvallis Gazette Times, Jenessa Byers is the daughter of Rob and Rachel Byers of Corvallis. In January, Jenessa was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma. Her ...
Rare autographed Beatles albums up for auction 14 Mar 2006
WhatGoesOn.com, ...tissue cancer. "A few years ago, our son was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma," Dunn explained. "He was only five years old. It came ...
Tots dress up in memory of Daniel 14 Mar 2006
ic Coventry, The six-year-old died two days before Christmas after battling for more than a year against a rare brain cancer - rhabdomyosarcoma. ...
Mums' cancer charity book set to raise £10,000 Mar 6, 2006
Glasgow Evening Times, Sadly, Michelle's daughter Chloe died in January 2005. She had rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer affecting soft tissue which developed in her brain. ...
Cancer not stopping student Mar 9, 2006
Tiffin Advertiser Tribune, Vincent Mercy Medical Center in November that came back negative, but his diagnosis of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma took place Dec. 9. ...
Solid Extratesticular Masses in Children: Radiographic and ... Feb 14, 2006
Am J Roentgenology (subscription) Solid or complex extratesticular masses, especially those that are rapidly growing and are painless, raise concerns regarding malignant rhabdomyosarcoma. ...
Youth shows courage in cancer battle Feb 15, 2006
Appleton Post Crescent, In summer 2004, Kyle was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a malignant tumor of the muscle tissue. According to the National Cancer ...
5-year-old's cancer is lesson for many Feb 16, 2006
The Capital Times, Andy was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma April 29. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a cancer made up of cells that normally develop into skeletal muscles of the body. ...
Teen cancer victim finds strength Feb 21, 2006
Henry Herald, It’s that spirit, along with her deep faith, that Taylor’s family and friends believe will pull her through as she fights rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of the ...
Place your bets for Jack Feb 10, 2006
Suffolk Evening Star, Jack was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma - a rare cancer which develops from cells in the soft tissues of the body - in November. ...
‘Everyone has shown so much compassion’ Feb 24, 2006
Wimbledon Guardian, ...months old. The cancer, called rhabdomyosarcoma, was treated successfully but, to the family's dismay, it returned last year. Mrs ...
7-year-old Kara Gaines gets wish granted for bedroom retreat Feb 23, 2006
Robertson County Times, Kara was diagnosed in 2004 with Rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive, soft-tissue tumor that grows from muscle cells, and is the most common soft tissue tumor in ...
Rodeo rider deals with tragedy Feb 19, 2006
Orlando Sentinel, Doctors diagnosed Addy with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer normally found in the neck or eye area. Her cancer was in her stomach and backside. Addy died Oct. ...
7-year-old faces second battle with cancer Feb 15, 2006
Salem News, In November, TJ was three months shy of five years in remission from rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft-tissue cancer that frequently occurs in young children in ...
Girl tapped as Children's Miracle Network rep Feb 17, 2006
Roanoke Times, Four years ago, Amelia Joy Clay's future was not nearly so bright. She was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of muscular and tissue cancer. ...
Cancer victim Timmy Berg raising money to aid cancer research Feb 23, 2006
Sarasota Herald-Tribune, ...division. That was shortly before he was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancerous tumor behind his eye. His world suddenly changed. ...
Singapore to research on childhood cancer rhabdomyosarcoma Jan 2, 2006
People's Daily Online, Singapore's National Cancer Center (NCC) will launch research on rhabdomyosarcoma, the fourth most common childhood cancer, according to Channel NewsAsia ...
Miss WRHS crowned Jan 24, 2006
Houston Home Journal, ...the memory of Joanna McAfee, a 6-year-old girl whose life was taken in late December by a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. ...
Douglas High School student battles tumor, disease, state Jan 22, 2006
The Record-Courier, James has rhabdomyosarcoma, a fast-growing, highly malignant tumor that accounts for over half of the soft tissue sarcomas in children, according to ...
The day the sky fell in Jan 15, 2006
Sydney Morning Herald, The suspicion was that Laurie was suffering from rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare but identifiable and usually treatable cancer that attacks the soft tissues, though ...
Clinical Trials Update: Dec. 29, 2005 Dec 29, 2005
Forbes Children and young adults 21 years old or younger with cancers such as Ewing's sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, Hodgkin's disease, and non-Hodgkin's ...
HO, HO HAPPY Dec 24, 2005
Advertiser Adelaide, Connor was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a malignant tumour in his nose, throat and windpipe, in August, while Paige has received treatment for a similar ...
Families get help finding rainbows Jan 5, 2006
Detroit Free Press, But Reginald is different in that he's battling rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and life-threatening form of cancer that affects soft tissue. ...
In Your Town 21 Dec 2005
Press of Atlantic City, Sept. 22. Giannotti struggled for more than a year with rhabdomyosarcoma cancer, rapidly declining in the early fall. A memorial ...
10-year-old boy endures another bout with cancer Nov 29, 2005
MLive.com, ..."And he's going to be a miracle again.". When Merrick was 5, doctors discovered Rhabdomyosarcoma, a form of cancer that grows in muscle tissue. ...
Patrick White, a ballplayer, Sox fan, and inspiration; at 15 Dec 1, 2005
Boston Globe, ...we're celebrating his life.". Patrick was afflicted with rhabdomyosarcoma, a form of tissue cancer. He first underwent treatment ...
Evert, celebrities pound courts to raise money Dec 3, 2005
Palm Beach Post, Ava Keen, Chalon's mother, said her daughter, who suffers from a cancer that creates tumors in her muscle cells called Rhabdomyosarcoma, cried the whole time. ...
Type of Treatment Influences Survival with Radiation-Induced ... Dec 2, 2005
Cancer Consultants (press release), The most common primary cancers were Ewing’s sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, retinoblastoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, brain tumor, and Wilm’s tumor. ...
Teen's fight for life brings school, team together Dec 1, 2005
El Paso Times, ...about people other than themselves. Andrea suffers from a form of cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. It's rare. It accounts for just ...
Quilters seeking to warm souls Dec 3, 2005
Brunswick News, ...was born in Brunswick. In 2001, she was diagnosed with a rare soft tissue cancer, stage IV rhabdomyosarcoma. Stage IV means the ...
With rare form of cancer, Lebanon girl, mom financially strapped Sep 2, 2005
Kayla Staples, 14, is in the terminal stages of rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer that attacks the skeletal and muscular systems of the body. ... Foster's Daily Democrat,
Mouse might clean up for humans Sep 4, 2005
...refined gene targeting technique to create the first mouse model for a highly aggressive childhood muscle cancer called alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, which kills ... Sydney Morning Herald (subscription),
Goggles, other tricks help calm MRI patients Sep 4, 2005
...minutes?'". Nick Pucek, 9, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, or soft tissue cancer, in the muscle of his wrist when he was 5 years old. ... Myrtle Beach Sun News,
Miskel is highlight of the night Aug 26, 2005
The return to normalcy was no simple journey. In November of 2003, Miskel was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of testicular cancer. ... Mobile Register,
Teen who was among first patients of VU end-of-life team dies Aug 27, 2005
Vanderbilt, died Thursday. Jason, who was 19, suffered from a rare form of soft-tissue cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. His struggle ... The Tennessean,
James and Grant do America Aug 26, 2005
...one child becomes reality. They are sponsoring Anessah, 3, who is battling Rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer. The trip from ... Crawfordsville Journal Review,
Diagnosed with cancer at 9, KV lineman beat the odds Aug 18, 2005
...opinion. The doctor knew immediately. Sam had cancer. Rhabdomyosarcoma, to be exact — a cancer of the soft tissue and muscle. Ten ... Gary Post Tribune,
Family's heartbreak at daughter's death Aug 11, 2005
AS-level pupil Alice, first discovered her illness, rhabdomyosarcoma – a type of muscle tumour with which only about 60 children are diagnosed each year in ... Clitheroe Today,
Cancer can't stop bridesmaid Aug 18, 2005
When she was initially diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma - which formed a tumour behind her right eye - doctors warned the family not to make any ... ic CheshireOnline,
City joins in prayer, fund-raising for 6-year-old with cancer Aug 13, 2005
A little girl named Joanna McAfee is fighting for her young life. Joanna was diagnosed with Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma the day before Christmas in 2002. ... Macon Telegraph,
FOXO1a acts as a selective tumor suppressor in alveolar ... -- Sep 12, 2005
Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common pediatric soft-tissue sarcoma, has two major histological subtypes: embryonal RMS (ERMS), which has a favorable ... / Journal of Cell Biology
'So young, so innocent' 3-year-old grapples with cancer -- Sep 15, 2005
Zachary is afflicted with a rare form of cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma, that covered his prostate and part of his bladder. Doctors diagnose ... / MLive.com,
Financial help pours in to help family of Lebanon teen with cancer -- Sep 12, 2005
...her energy. She has rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer that attacks the skeletal and muscular systems of the body. She's been ... / Foster's Daily Democrat,
With rare form of cancer, Lebanon girl, mom financially strapped -- Sep 2, 2005
Kayla Staples, 14, is in the terminal stages of rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer that attacks the skeletal and muscular systems of the body. ... / Foster's Daily Democrat,
Mouse might clean up for humans -- Sep 4, 2005
...refined gene targeting technique to create the first mouse model for a highly aggressive childhood muscle cancer called alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, which kills ... / Sydney Morning Herald (subscription),
Goggles, other tricks help calm MRI patients -- Sep 4, 2005
...minutes?'". Nick Pucek, 9, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, or soft tissue cancer, in the muscle of his wrist when he was 5 years old. ... / Myrtle Beach Sun News,
Diagnosed with cancer at 9, KV lineman beat the odds -- Aug 18, 2005
...opinion. The doctor knew immediately. Sam had cancer. Rhabdomyosarcoma, to be exact — a cancer of the soft tissue and muscle. Ten ... / Gary Post Tribune,
Miskel is highlight of the night -- Aug 26, 2005
The return to normalcy was no simple journey. In November of 2003, Miskel was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of testicular cancer. ... / Mobile Register,
Teen who was among first patients of VU end-of-life team dies -- Aug 27, 2005
Vanderbilt, died Thursday. Jason, who was 19, suffered from a rare form of soft-tissue cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. His struggle ... / The Tennessean,
James and Grant do America -- Aug 26, 2005
...one child becomes reality. They are sponsoring Anessah, 3, who is battling Rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer. The trip from ... / Crawfordsville Journal Review,
Cancer can't stop bridesmaid -- Aug 18, 2005
When she was initially diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma - which formed a tumour behind her right eye - doctors warned the family not to make any ... / ic CheshireOnline,
With rare form of cancer, Lebanon girl, mom financially strapped Sep 2, 2005
Kayla Staples, 14, is in the terminal stages of rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer that attacks the skeletal and muscular systems of the body. ... Foster's Daily Democrat,
Mouse might clean up for humans Sep 4, 2005
...refined gene targeting technique to create the first mouse model for a highly aggressive childhood muscle cancer called alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, which kills ... Sydney Morning Herald (subscription),
Goggles, other tricks help calm MRI patients Sep 4, 2005
...minutes?'". Nick Pucek, 9, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, or soft tissue cancer, in the muscle of his wrist when he was 5 years old. ... Myrtle Beach Sun News,
Miskel is highlight of the night Aug 26, 2005
The return to normalcy was no simple journey. In November of 2003, Miskel was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of testicular cancer. ... Mobile Register,
Teen who was among first patients of VU end-of-life team dies Aug 27, 2005
Vanderbilt, died Thursday. Jason, who was 19, suffered from a rare form of soft-tissue cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. His struggle ... The Tennessean,
James and Grant do America Aug 26, 2005
...one child becomes reality. They are sponsoring Anessah, 3, who is battling Rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer. The trip from ... Crawfordsville Journal Review,
Diagnosed with cancer at 9, KV lineman beat the odds Aug 18, 2005
...opinion. The doctor knew immediately. Sam had cancer. Rhabdomyosarcoma, to be exact — a cancer of the soft tissue and muscle. Ten ... Gary Post Tribune,
Family's heartbreak at daughter's death Aug 11, 2005
AS-level pupil Alice, first discovered her illness, rhabdomyosarcoma – a type of muscle tumour with which only about 60 children are diagnosed each year in ... Clitheroe Today,
Cancer can't stop bridesmaid Aug 18, 2005
When she was initially diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma - which formed a tumour behind her right eye - doctors warned the family not to make any ... ic CheshireOnline,
City joins in prayer, fund-raising for 6-year-old with cancer Aug 13, 2005
A little girl named Joanna McAfee is fighting for her young life. Joanna was diagnosed with Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma the day before Christmas in 2002. ... Macon Telegraph,
Oakley’s name to live on -- 09 Jul 2005
...similar problems. The caravan has already been secured for Oakley, who has a rare form of cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. ‘The ... / Guernsey Weekly Press,
Cancer survival gap: Progress stalls for young adults -- Jul 6, 2005
...rates than children for cancers that primarily affect the very young, such as acute lymphoblastic leukemia and a soft-tissue cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. ... / Pittsburgh Post Gazette,
A painful coincidence -- Jul 5, 2005
...seen in children; the peak age is 7." Biologically, Manhertz's tumor type comes closest to a rare cancer in children known as a rhabdomyosarcoma, D'Adamo said. ... / Newsday,
Shona's memory already helping others -- Jul 2, 2005
...set up to raise cash for her treatment continued in her memory and is now being used to help other children and to research Shona's cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma. ... / Suffolk Evening Star,
'My way of saying I understand' -- Jul 4, 2005
On Nov. 15, he learned his son had rhabdomyosarcoma, cancer of the muscles. Traneil started chemotherapy treatments a week later. ... / Richmond Times Dispatch,
Selective Target to Suppress Tumor Growth -- Jun 18, 2005
...in many forms of cancer from ovarian to leukemia, to test the survivin-targeted therapies in tumors, Altura's group looked at rhabdomyosarcoma, a particularly ... / Medical News Today,
Hope banishes doubts at 6th Relay for Life -- Jun 19, 2005
...cancer for 28 years; Tom Barron, who has survived lung cancer for nine years; and 4-year-old Kaitlynn Koehler, who has survived rhabdomyosarcoma cancer for two ... / Asbury Park Press,
Don't play power games -- Jun 27, 2005
...and can induce bone cancer and leukaemia; cesium 137, which concentrates in meat and induces a malignant muscle cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma; and plutonium ... / Age (subscription),
FUND FOR TVS HONORS CANCER PATIENT -- Jun 9, 2005
He smiles. Sara Kennedy was 18 when she died in March, less than a year after she was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer -- rhabdomyosarcoma. ... / Kentucky.com,
Teen Queen Makes 'Dream Come True' -- Jun 11, 2005
Alyssa sat in a wheelchair, her head wrapped in a pink scarf to conceal her hair loss from treatment of a rare childhood cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. ... / Defenselink.mil
Atchisonians walk lap for life -- Jun 20, 2005
When 9-year-old Zachary Wilson was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer that develops in the muscle or fibrous tissues of the body, his parents, Tom and ... / Atchison Daily Globe,
Bristol-Myers Squibb Tour of Hope(TM) Announces Team of Cancer ... -- Jun 20, 2005
...at the age of 3. They held onto hope and followed the advice of an oncologist who recommended Eric join a clinical trial to treat the rhabdomyosarcoma in his ... / Yahoo News (press release)
Healthbeat: Ritalin for Cancer Kids -- Jun 16, 2005
...a type of bone cancer), Wilm’s tumor (affecting the kidney), Hodgkin’s disease, retinoblastoma (a type of eye tumor), rhabdomyosarcoma (a type of soft ... / WHOI,
Woman won't waste a moment of life -- Jun 17, 2005
...was a time in the 1970s and 80s where doctors pushed higher doses of radiation for solid tumors, such as Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma," Tancabelic says. ... / Sioux Falls Argus Leader,
Dealing with boy's cancer changes family's outlook -- Jun 12, 2005
It would be March 22 before the family would hear the diagnosis that Josef had rhabdomyosarcoma, a fast-growing, highly malignant tumor. ... / Youngstown Vindicator,
Community bands together for Katie Deville and family -- Jun 19, 2005
...of her fifth birthday, developed a cantaloupe-sized tumor at her left kidney and was diagnosed with a rare cancer known as stage 3 Rhabdomyosarcoma, a disease ... / Charlotte Observer,
Marijuana ruling forces patients to suffer, endure -- Jun 10, 2005
A 1981 Jefferson High School graduate, Michael had a rare cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma that attacked his pelvis, spine and bone marrow. ... / Rockford Register Star,
Life's getting better for boy battling cancer -- Jun 7, 2005
What doctors first thought were swollen lymph nodes in January 2004 became the more deadly rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer that attacks the muscle ... / Fort Worth Star Telegram,
Daughter's fight against rare cancer -- Mar 11, 2005
...eye. She has contracted Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma and is the only child in the UK currently diagnosed with the disease. Alexandra ... / ic Liverpool,
Couple who lost son to cancer kick off Relay for Life fund-raiser -- Mar 14, 2005
..."There's never a day that goes by that doesn't trigger a memory," Chaney said of her son, Wayne, who died at 19 of rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer found in muscle ... / Gillette News Record,
CK2 Protein Sustains Colon Cancer Cells By Sabotaging Ability To ... -- Mar 4, 2005
...trigger apoptosis while blocking CK2 might enhance anti-cancer treatment for a variety of other solid tumors, such as pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma, according to ... / Science Daily (press release)
SISTER PACT -- Mar 11, 2005
Lindsey's traumatic story started when she was just 11-years-old and doctors discovered a rare form of cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma, in her right foot. ... / Leeds Today,
Local cancer survivor meets governor -- Mar 12, 2005
In 2002, Davis was diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare cancer that caused a tumor deep in his cheek that was nearly imperceptible from outside. ... / Greenville Daily Reflector,
Cancer in Children -- Mar 4, 2005
Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common type of soft tissue tumor in children. ... Rhabdomyosarcoma typically is diagnosed in children 2 to 6. ... / WSOCtv.com,
Teen's family pushes for experimental cancer treatment -- Feb 13, 2005
...before. Jordan didn't understand what it meant when they said two years ago he had rhabdomyosarcoma, a fast-growing childhood cancer. ... / Akron Beacon Journal (subscription),
Low Gene Expression Conferred by Association of an Allele of the 5 ... -- Mar 1, 2005
...tested transiently in human cell lines HEK293t (human embryo kidney, a gift from GlaxoSmithKline) and TE671 (human medulloblastoma/rhabdomyosarcoma from the ... / Am J Psychiatry (subscription)
Cops to cut off locks to aid cancer research -- Mar 8, 2005
For nearly a year, Piper has battled a soft-tissue cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma, which turns muscle cells into fast growing and malignant tumors. ... / Chicago Tribune (subscription)
Cancer research to benefit from girl worth losing your hair over -- Mar 9, 2005
The girl was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Rhabdomyosarcoma, in May last year, just a month after McGury participated in a similar fund-raiser in ... / Chicago Daily Herald,
It's official: 'Frank' the tumor is dead -- Feb 15, 2005
David was diagnosed in May 2003 with a grapefruit-sized malignant brain tumor called a rhabdomyosarcoma, which was causing blindness and headaches. ... / Atlanta Journal Constitution (subscription),
US boy beats cancer he named 'Frank': -- Feb 16, 2005
The boy was diagnosed in May 2003 with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, resulting in chemotherapy and radiation therapy that left the youth hairless and with ... / New Kerala,
Doctors: 'Frank' the tumor is dead -- Feb 15, 2005
David was diagnosed in May 2003 with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, a fist-sized, soft-tissue tumor at the base of his skull that encroached on his optic nerve ... / Pittsburgh Tribune-Review,
Parents of teenage boy may turn to Germany for treatment -- Feb 17, 2005
...for funding and approval. Aron was diagnosed two years ago with rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive soft-tissue cancer. Cripe took on ... / Akron Beacon Journal (subscription),
Viral-based therapy no longer an option -- Feb 18, 2005
The teen from Boardman, a suburb of Youngstown, was diagnosed two years ago with rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive soft-tissue cancer. ... / Cleveland Plain Dealer,
David's cancer is gone -- Feb 17, 2005
The tumor, an embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, was located at the base of his skull and affected his optic nerve and carotid artery. ... / Loudoun Times-Mirror,
SPOTLIGHT A SHOW OF SUPPORT -- Feb 17, 2005
His father, Tom Link, who owns a carpet store in Mounds View, says the prognosis is good, because the cancer, called rhabdomyosarcoma, hasn't spread. ... / Pioneer Press,
Make-A-Wish Foundation presents Cabot girl with trip to ... -- Feb 17, 2005
Catie has rhabdomyosarcoma, a type of cancer affecting muscle cells throughout the body. She was diagnosed when she was 4 years old. ... / Arkansas Leader,
Students do part to help graduate -- Feb 16, 2005
26 to noon Feb. 27 to assist the family of 10-year-old Frankie Carrick, who is battling a rare form of cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma. ... / Akron Beacon Journal (subscription),
Cancer patients, survivors find hope in yellow flowers -- Feb 22, 2005
...pulmonary artery. She was later diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma of the mediastinum, a rare cancer in a rare location. Because ... / Quad City Times,
Suicidal cancer cells sustained by protein -- Feb 25, 2005
...with TRAIL to trigger apoptosis while blocking CK2 might enhance anti-cancer treatment for a variety of other solid tumours, such as paediatric rhabdomyosarcoma ... / Drug Researcher.com,
Lawmaker seeks OK for therapy to help teen -- Feb 12, 2005
...in a clinical trial. Jordan was diagnosed two years ago with rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive childhood cancer. After he suffered ... / Cleveland Plain Dealer,
John Millea: Fighting to get back on the ice -- Feb 10, 2005
He was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma last September, and this visit was part of a 40-week treatment plan that -- hopefully, prayerfully -- will mean Ryan is ... / Minneapolis Star Tribune (subscription),
Young ambassador representing Miracle Network -- Feb 10, 2005
...guests. Davis is a survivor of a rare soft tissue cancer called alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, generally found in the head and neck. ... / Greenville Daily Reflector,
A rhabdmyosarcoma is a form of cancer of the sarcoma subtype that shows differentiation or determination towards resembling skeletal muscle.
In general, as a result of oncogenesis, the cells comprising a cancer will have a different genotype to the constitutional genotype of the host. The genotypic changes may induce a perceptible change in the phenotype. Both of these changes may be used to classify the neoplasm. Medically useful systems of classification offer the means for diagnosis and prognosis, and may assist the physician in the choice of optimal treatment.
The cells in a particular cancer might show no overt differentiation or they might show varying degrees of differentiation that parody the appearances of some normal tissue. In a histogenetic classification, the cancer is named for the normal tissue whose phenotype is most closely mimicked. A cancer whose cells show no resemblance to any particular tissue is said to be undifferentiated. The differentiation may be perceived at the level of tissue architecture (that is, how the individual cells group together and organise themselves compared with normal tissues). An assessment of architectural relationships is the most important part of histopathology. It provides an important means to predict the biological behaviour of a neoplasm, that is, to form an opinion whether it will behave in a benign or malignant fashion. Assessment of individual cells is the main subject of cytopathology. Cytopathological assessment of cellular phenotype is best undertaken on suitably prepared whole cells that have been spread onto a glass slide. However, with some limitations, it may also be undertaken on those individual cells that form part of a neoplasm that are present in a thin section of a biopsied specimen.
Light microscopy may be used to assess the architecture of sampled tissues and the phenotype of its cells. A biopsied specimen is typically hardened and preserved in some suitable fixative. It is dehydrated and embedded in paraffin wax to allow thin sections to be taken onto glass slides. Routine assessment of these sections involves rehydration and staining with haematoxylin (which stains acidic molecules, such as nucleic acids, blue) and eosin (which stains basic molecules, such as proteins, red).
The cellular phenotype may also be assessed at the higher magnifications afforded by electron microscopy. The biopsied specimen is processed in a similar way, except that the fixatives, embedding media and stains are chosen to allow the generation of thinner sections and differential opacity to transmitted electrons rather than photons.
A change in the phenotype of a cell is effected by changes in the proteins within its cytoplasm. When this is visible using light microscopy, it may be possible to use this cellular phenotype to classify the cancer. In a rhabdomyosarcoma, the accumulation in a variable proportion of the malignant cells of large amounts of the particular isomers of the proteins that are responsible for the contractile properties of skeletal muscle typically result in large cells with cytoplasm that stains deeply red with eosin. In a small number of the malignant cells these proteins might be assembled in a structured way that imparts the "striated" appearance, characterised by alternating bands of dark and pale red, that is typical of normal skeletal muscle.
In poorly differentiated cells, the proteins that accumulate may not be present in sufficient quantities to produce a perceptible change in the appearance of the cell as judged by light microscopy. It is possible to probe for the presence of these proteins using other techniques such as immunohistochemistry. In the absence of a perceptible change in the cellular phenotype, this provides an opportunity to identify an "immunophenotype". Using this technique, the presence of proteins such as desmin, myoglobin, muscle specific actin, and others would provide strong evidence for the diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma.
Some cancers do not contain cells that are sufficiently differentiated to allow histogenetic classification by assessment of the cellular phenotype or immunophenotype. In some of these cells, it may be possible to identify other proteins whose presence indicates "determination" toward some particular tissue type. A cell that is "determined" has undergone modification of its genome so that the pathways of differentiation that remain open to it are restricted to those that are associated with the cells of some specific tissue. During the early stages of development of skeletal muscle cells, a protein called "myo D1" binds itself to genetic material in the cell nuclei. This is an indicator of determination towards skeletal muscle differentiation. Once skeletal muscle cells become innervated by nerve cells, the concentration of this protein falls dramatically. The same protein (myo D1) may be found in the nuclei of the cells in a rhabdomyosarcoma. As the malignant cells do not become innervated by nerve cells, this protein remains in a high concentration. This may be exploited as a means to identify malignant neoplasms that contain cells that show determination towards rhabdomyosarcoma, even when there is insufficient differentiation to allow phenotypic assessment to be used for the diagnosis. As this protein may also be present in the cytoplasm of cells of other neoplasms whose other characteristics show that they are not rhabdomyosarcomas, demonstration of the presence of myo D1 should be considered supportive for rhabdomyosarcoma only if the protein is present in the cell nuclei.
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