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Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) can start nearly anywhere in the body. The symptoms depend on where the tumor is, how large it is, and if it has spread to other parts of the body.
One or more of these symptoms usually leads to a visit to the doctor. Many of these signs and symptoms are more likely to be caused by something other than RMS. For example, children and teens can have bumps or pain from play or sports injuries. Still, if you or your child has any of these symptoms and they do not go away within a week or so (or if they get worse), see a doctor so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed.
Developed by the American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team with medical review and contribution by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Linardic CM, Wexler, LH. Chapter 25: Rhabdomyosarcoma. In: Blaney SM, Adamson PC, Helman LJ, eds. Pizzo and Poplack’s Principles and Practice of Pediatric Oncology. 8th ed. Philadelphia Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2021
Okcu MF, Hicks J. Rhabdomyosarcoma in childhood and adolescence: Clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and staging. UpToDate. 2025. Accessed at www.uptodate.com/contents/rhabdomyosarcoma-in-childhood-and-adolescence-clinical-presentation-diagnostic-evaluation-and-staging on April 3, 2025.
Last Revised: June 2, 2025
American Cancer Society medical information is copyrighted material. For reprint requests, please see our Content Usage Policy.
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