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Muscle tumours are abnormal tissue growths located in or originating from muscle tissue. Tumours can either arise in muscle tissue or spread to it. Muscle tumours can be benign or malignant. They can occur in nodes, flat masses, round clusters, or polyps. They can develop in both adults and children, and can occur anywhere in the body, but often form in the arms, legs, chest, or abdomen. The symptoms of muscle tumours depend on where the tumour has formed in the body.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Abnormal tissue growth located in or originating from muscle tissue |
| Types | Leiomyomas, rhabdomyomas, and rhabdomyosarcomas |
| Leiomyomas | Benign tumours of smooth muscles; most frequently located in the uterus but also may occur in the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the alimentary canal, the bladder, and the ureters |
| Rhabdomyomas | Rare, usually benign tumours of striated (striped) muscles; most commonly occurs in the heart |
| Rhabdomyosarcomas | Malignant tumours that arise in the skeletal muscles; most tumours of this type are located in the leg or arm muscles |
| Skeletal Muscle Sarcomas | Classified into embryonal, alveolar, spindle cell/sclerosing and pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma according to WHO classifications of tumors |
| Symptoms | Abnormal lump, painful swelling, heavy bleeding while urinating, troubled bowel movements |
| Diagnosis | Physical examination, imaging tests (X-ray, CT scan, MRI, PET scan), biopsy |
| Treatment | Surgery, radiation, clinical trials, targeted therapy |
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What You'll Learn
Types of muscle tumours
Muscle tumours, or abnormal tissue growths, can either arise in muscle tissue or spread to it. There are three major types of muscle tumours: leiomyomas, rhabdomyomas, and rhabdomyosarcomas.
Leiomyomas
Leiomyomas are benign tumours of smooth muscles, such as those found in the walls of the intestines and blood vessels. They are most frequently located in the uterus but may also occur in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, alimentary canal, bladder, and ureters. Leiomyomas are firm or rubbery and can be easily removed. Although part of the tumour may become malignant, it usually does not spread nor recur once removed.
Rhabdomyomas
Rhabdomyomas are rare, usually benign tumours of striated (striped) muscles. They most commonly occur in the heart but can also affect other parts of the body, including the smooth and striated muscles. While some forms of rhabdomyomas do not spread, others may metastasize and grow to great proportions. In the prostate, for example, they may obstruct the bladder and invade adjacent pelvic tissue.
Rhabdomyosarcomas
Rhabdomyosarcomas are malignant tumours that arise in skeletal muscles, particularly in the leg or arm muscles. They may recur even after amputation of the affected limb. The only symptom may be a slowly growing mass, and it often appears in older individuals, having usually been growing for 10 or more years before discovery. Embryonal rhabdomyosarcomas, a common subtype, mostly affect children under five years of age and are commonly found in the head and neck area, bladder, vagina, or near the prostate and testicles. Other subtypes include alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma, and spindle cell/sclerosing rhabdomyosarcoma.
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Symptoms and diagnosis
A muscle tumour is an abnormal tissue growth located in or originating from muscle tissue. Tumours may arise in muscle tissue or spread to it from other parts of the body. The three major types of muscle tumours are leiomyomas, rhabdomyomas, and rhabdomyosarcomas.
Symptoms of muscle tumours vary depending on the type and location of the tumour in the body. Leiomyomas are benign tumours of smooth muscles, often found in the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and ureters. They are firm or rubbery and typically do not spread or recur once removed. Rhabdomyomas are rare, usually benign tumours of striated (striped) muscles, most commonly found in the heart. They are soft and may occur in nodes, flat masses, round clusters, or polyps. When they affect other parts of the body, they often involve both smooth and striated muscles, and there is a higher likelihood of malignancy.
Rhabdomyosarcomas are malignant tumours that arise in skeletal muscles, most commonly in the leg or arm muscles. Symptoms may include a slowly growing mass, and they often go undetected for 10 or more years. Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma occurs in the head and neck area, bladder, vagina, or near the prostate and testicles. Symptoms include sinusitis, unilateral deafness, urinary retention, and jaundice. Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma is found in adolescents and young adults, often in the large muscles of the trunk, arms, and legs, and requires intense treatment due to its fast growth rate. Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare subtype that occurs in older adults and grows quickly, requiring intensive treatment.
Skeletal muscle sarcomas can form anywhere in the body, and symptoms depend on the tumour's location. They may include lumps, painful swelling, heavy bleeding while urinating, or troubled bowel movements. Diagnostic tests for skeletal muscle sarcoma include physical examinations, imaging tests (X-ray, CT scan, MRI, PET scan), and biopsy. Treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and clinical trials. Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a rare type of cancer that grows in smooth muscles, and its treatment includes surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, depending on the size and location of the tumour.
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Causes and risk factors
Muscle tumours are abnormal tissue growths located in or originating from muscle tissue. Tumours may either arise in muscle tissue or spread to it. While the causes of muscle tumours are not fully understood, several risk factors have been identified.
One type of muscle tumour, leiomyosarcoma (LMS), is believed to originate in the body's smooth muscles, which are found in the uterus, intestines, stomach, bladder, and blood vessels. LMS is a rare and aggressive cancer that can grow quickly. Although the exact causes of LMS are unknown, certain genetic conditions have been associated with it. These include hereditary retinoblastoma, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1, tuberous sclerosis, nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, Gardner syndrome, and Werner syndrome. These genetic conditions are inherited disorders that increase the risk of developing LMS.
Another type of muscle tumour, rhabdomyosarcoma, is a malignant tumour that arises in the skeletal muscles. Most tumours of this type are located in the leg or arm muscles. While the exact causes of rhabdomyosarcoma are not clear, it is known that these tumours show common immunoexpression of two myogenic regulatory factors, MyoD1 and myogenin. Additionally, genetic factors play a role, as alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas typically contain a characteristic fusion gene such as PAX3/7-FOXO1.
Soft tissue sarcomas are rare cancerous tumours that develop in the tissues surrounding bones and organs, including muscles, tendons, fat cells, and skin. They usually appear in the arms, legs, chest, and back of the belly. While the exact causes of soft tissue sarcomas are still being unravelled by researchers, certain risk factors have been identified. These include inherited disorders and specific activities. Inherited disorders, or genetic mutations, can increase the risk of soft tissue sarcomas, and genetic testing may be recommended if there is a family history of such disorders.
Overall, while the exact causes of muscle tumours remain unclear, several risk factors have been identified, including genetic conditions, inherited disorders, and specific activities. Further research is ongoing to better understand the development and causes of these tumours.
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Treatment options
Muscle tumours, or soft tissue sarcomas, are cancers that begin in the muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, or other supporting tissue of the body. They can form anywhere in the body but often appear in the arms, legs, chest, or abdomen. Leiomyosarcoma is a type of cancer that starts in smooth muscle tissue, while rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a malignant tumour that originates in cells that develop into skeletal muscles.
Surgery
Surgery is a common treatment option for muscle tumours, including muscle-invasive bladder cancer. This can involve removing the affected organ, such as the bladder, or in the case of skeletal muscle sarcoma, it may involve a multi-modal approach, with surgeons collaborating to preserve limbs and tissues.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation beams to kill tumour cells or stop their growth. A radiation oncologist can perform external or internal radiation therapy depending on the location of the tumour. Radiation therapy is often used in combination with other treatments for muscle tumours.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses strong medication to stop the growth of tumour cells, either by killing them or preventing them from dividing. It can be taken orally or injected into the body. Chemotherapy is often used as a primary treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Clinical Trials and Targeted Therapy
For muscle tumours that do not respond to standard treatments, clinical trials and targeted therapy may be considered. These approaches offer more cutting-edge and personalised treatments, such as immunotherapy drugs, which can be tailored to the patient's specific needs and conditions.
Combination of Treatments
Treatment for muscle tumours often requires a combination of traditional and new treatments. For example, chemotherapy may be combined with surgery and radiation therapy, or new treatments like targeted therapy may be added to the regimen. Personalised treatment plans are created in collaboration with a team of medical experts to ensure the best outcome for the patient.
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Prognosis and outlook
Muscle tumours are abnormal tissue growths located in or originating from muscle tissue. They can either arise in muscle tissue or spread to it. Soft tissue sarcomas are rare cancerous tumours that develop in the tissues that support and surround bones and organs, including muscles, tendons, fat cells and skin. Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a type of soft tissue sarcoma and a rare, aggressive cancer that starts in the smooth muscles of hollow organs like the bladder, stomach, uterus, intestines or blood vessels. It can also occur in the skin and eyes.
The prognosis for muscle tumours, particularly LMS, depends on several factors, including the stage, size, and location of the tumour. LMS is an aggressive cancer, and the outlook is more favourable when detected and treated early. Surgery is often the first treatment option, and in some cases, radiation therapy may be used before surgery to shrink the tumour. Chemotherapy is typically used in combination with surgery when the LMS tumours are large or have spread to other parts of the body.
The prognosis for LMS also varies with the stage of the disease. When identified early and removed by surgery, the prognosis is good, and full recovery is likely. However, the recovery time can vary depending on the extent of surgery and the need for rehabilitation. Additionally, regular check-ups are necessary to monitor health and reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
The tumour grade is another critical factor influencing prognosis. Lower-grade tumours generally have a better prognosis, while higher-grade tumours are more advanced and aggressive. Soft tissue sarcomas are typically staged from Stage I to Stage IV, with Stage IV indicating that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Treatment plans are developed based on these stages, and surgery is often the primary treatment for small tumours that haven't spread.
Furthermore, low muscle mass in cancer patients has been associated with adverse outcomes and poor prognosis in several studies. However, there is no standardized approach for measuring muscle mass, and more research is needed to understand its prognostic value fully.
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Frequently asked questions
A muscle tumour is an abnormal tissue growth located in or originating from muscle tissue.
There are three major types of muscle tumours: leiomyomas, rhabdomyomas, and rhabdomyosarcomas.
Leiomyomas are benign tumours of smooth muscles (such as those in the walls of the intestines and of blood vessels). They are most frequently located in the uterus but may also occur in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and ureters.
Rhabdomyomas are usually benign tumours of striated (striped) muscles. They most commonly occur in the heart, but they can also spread to other parts of the body, such as the uterus, bladder, and kidneys.
Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) are malignant tumours that arise in skeletal muscles. They are the most common type of muscle tumour in children, but they can also occur in adults. RMS can be further classified into subtypes such as embryonal, alveolar, and pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcomas.
