Rhabdomyosarcoma

Treatment

At Mayo Clinic, your treatment team partners with you to create a rhabdomyosarcoma treatment plan appropriate for your needs. The approach depends on the location, type and size of the tumor. Rhabdomyosarcoma treatment always includes chemotherapy. Radiation and/or surgery also may be used, depending on the size and site of the tumor. As a Mayo Clinic patient, you also have access to the latest rhabodomyosarcoma clinical trials.

Chemotherapy

A person with rhabdomyosarcoma typically receives a combination of cancer-fighting drugs (chemotherapy), followed by treatment with surgery or radiation therapy. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells in an effort to control the spread of cancer and shrink the tumor.

Surgery

Because rhabdomyosarcoma can develop in many different locations in your body, the surgical techniques used for treatment vary depending on the tumor site. When possible, the goal is complete tumor removal.

Radiation therapy

Mayo Clinic cancer specialists (radiation oncologists) are experienced in the full range of radiation treatments. When tumors are not completely removable via surgery, radiation therapy is included in treatment. Whether radiation will be used is a complex decision that is made based on the site of the primary tumor, the tumor stage and other factors.

Experimental treatments

In addition to standard treatment, some Mayo Clinic patients also may choose to receive experimental therapies through clinical trials. Your treatment team can help determine if you qualify as a clinical trial participant.