skeletal muscle cancer

Skeletal muscle cancer, also known as rhabdomyosarcoma, can manifest in various ways, depending on the location and size of the tumor. Here are some common signs and symptoms:

• Pain: Pain is a common symptom of skeletal muscle cancer, especially if the tumor presses on nerves or muscles [3]. The pain may be persistent and worsen over time.
• Swelling and redness: Swelling and redness in the affected area can occur due to the growth of the tumor [4].
• Limited movement: As the tumor grows, it can limit movement in the affected arm or leg [6].
• Fatigue: Feeling very tired is another symptom that may be experienced by people with skeletal muscle cancer [5].
• Weight loss: Unintentional weight loss can occur due to the cancer's impact on the body's overall health.
• Sinusitis, unilateral deafness, urinary retention, and jaundice: These symptoms are specific to a type of skeletal muscle sarcoma called alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma [4].
• A noticeable lump or swelling: A painless lump or swelling can be an early sign of skeletal muscle cancer [9].

It's essential to note that these symptoms can also occur due to other conditions, such as arthritis or Lyme disease. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's crucial to consult a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

References:

[3] Symptoms · A noticeable lump or swelling. · Pain, if the growth presses on nerves or muscles. [4] Symptoms of this type of skeletal muscle sarcoma include sinusitis, unilateral deafness, urinary retention, and jaundice. Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma. Alveolar ... [5] Other sarcomas can cause long-lasting bone pain or swelling in your arm or leg that worsens at night. These changes may limit your movement. Symptoms may ... [6] Other sarcomas can cause long-lasting bone pain or swelling in your arm or leg that worsens at night. These changes may limit your movement. Symptoms may ... [9] Sarcoma Symptoms. Early signs of soft tissue sarcoma can include a painless lump or swelling. Some sarcomas may not cause any symptoms until they grow and press ...

Diagnostic Tests for Skeletal Muscle Cancer

Skeletal muscle cancer, also known as sarcoma, can be diagnosed using various tests and procedures. Here are some of the diagnostic tests used to diagnose skeletal muscle cancer:

• Imaging tests: Imaging tests such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) scans can help identify the location and size of a bone cancer [7]. These tests can also show if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
• Bone scan: A bone scan is an imaging procedure that uses a radioactive substance to identify bone disorders, such as bone sarcoma [3].
• Muscle biopsy: A muscle biopsy involves removing a small piece of tissue from the affected muscle to diagnose disease [9]. This test can help confirm the presence of cancer cells in the muscle.
• Bone marrow biopsy: A bone marrow biopsy may also be performed to check for cancer cells in the bone marrow [8].
• PET-CT scan: A PET-CT scan combines a CT scan with a PET scan to provide detailed images of the body and help diagnose cancer [1].

Other diagnostic tests

In addition to these imaging tests, other diagnostic tests may also be used to diagnose skeletal muscle cancer. These include:

• Blood tests: Blood tests can help identify biomarkers that are associated with cancer [5].
• Genetic testing: Genetic testing can help identify genetic mutations that may contribute to the development of sarcoma [6].

References

[1] To make an accurate diagnosis, other tests such as plain x-rays, MRI scans, or even a bone biopsy might be needed. Positron emission tomography (PET or PET scan) For a PET scan, a form of radioactive sugar (known as FDG) is injected into the blood. Because cancer cells in the body are growing quickly, they absorb large amounts of the sugar.

[3] Bone scanning (a type of radionuclide scanning) is an imaging procedure that is occasionally used to diagnose a fracture, particularly if other tests, such as plain x-rays and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), do not reveal the fracture.Bone scanning involves use of a radioactive substance (technetium-99m–labeled pyrophosphate) that is absorbed by any healing bone.

[7] How is osteosarcoma diagnosed? · X-ray. A diagnostic test that uses beams of small amounts of radiation to make images of internal tissues, bones, and organs on ...

[8] Tests your specialist might do · MRI scan · CT scan · taking a sample of bone tissue called a bone biopsy · a bone marrow biopsy · bone scan · PET-CT scan · PET-MRI ...

[9] A muscle biopsy involves removing a small piece of tissue to diagnose disease. The tissue is usually removed using a needle.

Note: The above information is based on the search results provided and may not be an exhaustive list of diagnostic tests for skeletal muscle cancer.

Treatment Options for Skeletal Muscle Cancer

Skeletal muscle cancer, also known as sarcoma, can be treated with a combination of standard therapies and new types of treatment. The definitive treatment is removal of the causative tumor [5]. However, when this is not possible, various measures have been undertaken to manage the condition.

Standard Treatments

The standard treatments for skeletal muscle cancer include:

• Chemotherapy: This involves using medications to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be used alone or in combination with other treatments.
• Surgery: Surgery may be necessary to remove the tumor and affected tissue.
• Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells.

New Treatment Options

In addition to standard treatments, new types of treatment are being explored for skeletal muscle cancer. These include:

• Targeted Cancer Drugs: Targeted drugs, such as kinase inhibitors [6], can be used to specifically target and kill cancer cells.
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy involves using the body's immune system to fight cancer.

Experimental Treatments

Several experimental treatments are being investigated for skeletal muscle cancer. These include:

• Mifamurtide: Mifamurtide is a type of targeted cancer drug [8] that has shown promise in treating certain types of sarcoma.
• Ponsegromab: Ponsegromab is an experimental drug that may be effective in treating cachexia, a wasting syndrome that often affects people with cancer [4].

References

[5] The definitive treatment of cancer cachexia is removal of the causative tumor. Short of achieving this goal, various measures have been undertaken with limited success.

[6] Jun 17, 2021 — Targeted drugs for bone cancer​​ The targeted drugs used to treat some types of bone cancers are known as kinase inhibitors. Kinases are proteins that play a crucial role in cell signaling and growth.

[8] Mifamurtide is a type of targeted cancer drug. It is also called by its brand name, Mepact. You might have mifamurtide if you are a child or young person up to the age of 21 with osteosarcoma (bone cancer).

Note: The above information is based on the search results provided and may not be an exhaustive list of treatment options for skeletal muscle cancer.

The differential diagnosis of skeletal muscle cancer involves considering various conditions that can present similarly to muscle tumors. Here are some key points to consider:

• Soft tissue sarcomas: These are a group of more than 60 different neoplasms that can originate from any location throughout the human body, including skeletal muscle (1). Soft tissue sarcomas can range from benign lipomas to aggressive metastatic tumors.
• Rhabdomyosarcoma: This is a type of cancer that primarily affects children and adolescents, but can also occur in adults. It is characterized by the presence of rhabdomyoblasts, which are immature muscle cells (4).
• Myositis ossificans: This is a rare condition where bone tissue forms within skeletal muscle, leading to a tumor-like appearance. It is often associated with trauma or inflammation (7).
• Lymphoma: This is a type of cancer that affects the immune system and can involve skeletal muscle. Lymphomas can present as soft tissue masses and may be difficult to distinguish from other types of tumors (13).
• Ewing sarcoma: This is a rare type of bone cancer that can also affect soft tissues, including skeletal muscle. It often presents with a characteristic "onion skin" appearance on imaging studies (14).

When considering the differential diagnosis of skeletal muscle cancer, it's essential to take into account the patient's age, tumor location, and other clinical features.

References:

1. [11] Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of more than 60 different neoplasms that can originate from any location throughout the human body.
2. [4] Rhabdomyosarcoma is primarily a tumor of childhood and adolescence.
3. [7] Myositis ossificans is a rare condition where bone tissue forms within skeletal muscle, leading to a tumor-like appearance.
4. [13] Lymphoma accounts for 4–6% of all cancers in the Singapore Cancer Registry in 2007–2011.
5. [14] Ewing sarcoma needs to be differentiated from a variety of soft tissue osteoblastic lesions, including myositis ossificans and other types of tumors.

It's worth noting that this is not an exhaustive list, and other conditions may also need to be considered in the differential diagnosis of skeletal muscle cancer.