What is rhabdomyomas?
A rhabdomyoma is a cardiac tumor (a tumor on or in the heart). This type of tumor is not cancerous and will not spread. Rhabdomyoma is the most common form of heart tumor. These tumors can vary greatly in size and number. Rhabdomyomas are usually multiple in number and can affect either side of the heart.
What causes cardiac rhabdomyomas?
Anatomically, they are considered as hamartomas. Most cardiac rhabdomyomas are associated with tuberous sclerosis (TS) and appear in the ventricular myocardium, the atria, the cavoatrial junction, or the epicardial surface.
Is rhabdomyoma malignant?
It is most commonly associated with the tongue, and heart, but can also occur in other locations, such as the vagina. Malignant skeletal muscle tumors are referred to as rhabdomyosarcoma….
| Rhabdomyoma | |
|---|---|
| Surgically excised cardiac rhabdomyoma (unfixed) | |
| Specialty | Oncology |
How is rhabdomyoma treated?
All children and adults with RMS will be treated with surgery to remove the tumor if it can be done without causing major damage or disfigurement. If this isn’t possible, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy may be used first to try to shrink the tumor. If it shrinks enough, surgery can be done at this point.
How is rhabdomyoma diagnosed?
To determine where the cancer is located and if it has spread, the doctor may use the following imaging tests:
- X-ray.
- Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
- Bone scan.
- Positron emission tomography (PET) or PET-CT scan.
What is a Fibroelastoma?
ANSWER: Fibroelastomas are formally known as papillary fibroelastomas, or PFEs, and are sometimes called cardiac papillomas. These small, noncancerous tumors develop in the heart — most often on one of the valves located between the heart chambers.
What is a granular cell tumor?
Listen to pronunciation. (GRAN-yoo-lur sel TOO-mer) A rare type of soft tissue tumor that usually begins in Schwann cells (cells that hold nerve cells in place). It can occur anywhere in the body, but it usually occurs in or under the skin of the head and neck (especially the mouth or tongue).
Is a schwannoma encapsulated?
Schwannomas are generally encapsulated neoplasms, but a subset of schwannomas in our series lacked a capsule, including all of those arising in the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and larynx.
What type of doctor treats rhabdomyosarcoma?
Rhabdomyosarcoma typically needs to be treated by a team of specialists, which may include: Orthopedic surgeons who specialize in operating on cancers that affect the bones or muscles (orthopedic oncologists)
What is the medical definition of rhabdomyoma?
Medical Definition of rhabdomyoma. : a benign tumor composed of striated muscle fibers a cardiac rhabdomyoma.
When does the growth of rhabdomyomas slow down?
Rhabdomyomas are usually multiple in number and can affect either side of the heart. In 30 percent of cases, these tumors occur in both sides of the heart. The fastest growth time for these tumors is between the second and third trimester. Growth slows as the pregnancy nears its end and stops when the baby is born.
Where are cardiac rhabdomyomas located in the heart?
Cardiac rhabdomyomas most frequently arise in the ventricular myocardium; however, they may also be located in the atria, the epicardial surface, or the cavoatrial junction. The clinical features of cardiac rhabdomyomas vary widely, depending on the location, size, and number of tumors in the heart.
Is it possible to have rhabdomyomas in an unborn baby?
The diagnosis of rhabdomyomas in the unborn baby probably will not have any effect on your pregnancy. However, your baby will require closer observation for tumor growth. If the tumors grow out of proportion to your baby’s growth, they could alter your baby’s heart function.