What is Mediastinal Rhabdomyosarcoma?
Mediastinal rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare soft tissue tumour of the mediastinum in children and young adults. It is rare in adults and accounts for less than 1% of all adult solid tissue cancers. The average age of onset is 23 years. Mediastinal rhabdomyosarcomas are larger and tend to invade underlying and nearby tissues.What is Mediastinum?
The mediastinum is a space in the thorax that contains the heart, thymus gland, portions of the esophagus trachea, and other structures.Disease Causes
There is no well-known cause, but certain hereditary and genetic conditions may be responsible for the development of mediastinal rhabdomyosarcoma.Signs and Symptoms
The patient may suffer from the following signs and symptoms. These are- Pain in the chest
- Persistent cough
- Difficulty in breathing
- Pleural effusion (buildup of excessive fluids in layers of pleura, pleura is a membrane that cover the lungs from outside)
Diagnosis
The following diagnostic tests and procedures can be used to make a diagnosis. These are- CBC (complete blood count)
- Blood sugar levels
- Measurement of plasma-free metanephrines
- CT-scan, MRI, OR PET Scan of abdomen and chest