Because more children with rhabdomyosarcoma are now surviving longer, it has become possible to look at the long-term effects of their treatment. It's important to discuss what these potential effects might be with your child's medical team before starting treatment.

For example, some chemotherapy drugs may damage cells in the ovaries and testicles that can make it difficult or even impossible for patients to have children.

Another unwanted long-term result is the small, but definitely increased, risk of second cancers in survivors who received chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These cancers include bone cancer, leukemia, or other soft tissue tumors. The bone cancers seem to be linked with radiotherapy, while the leukemias are more often seen after treatment with cyclophosphamide and related drugs.

It is important to remember that these second cancers affect only a small number of rhabdomyosarcoma survivors, and these are children who, until very recently, would have died.

The long-term side effects of radiation therapy may be significant, especially for young children. Bones and soft tissues that are irradiated do not grow very well. Depending on the area getting radiation, this may result in curvature of the spine, a shortened limb, limited motion of a joint, hardening of the surrounding soft tissue, stiffening of the lungs, poor development of the facial bones, cataracts and poor vision of the involved eye, later problems with sexual function, and other problems. Doctors try to limit these potential side effects as much as possible when planning treatment.

For more information, see the American Cancer Society document, Childhood Cancer: Late Effects of Cancer Treatment.

Last Medical Review: 09/08/2009
Last Revised: 09/08/2009