What does ARMS mean in ONCOLOGY

Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is a type of malignant soft tissue cancer that most commonly affects young children. It originates in primitive, undifferentiated cells called rhabdomyoblasts which form skeletal muscle and has been found to occur in all parts of the body, although it is more commonly found in the head and neck area, genitourinary tract or extremities.

ARMS has a frequency of 1.6 cases per million people annually, making it relatively rare.

The majority of cases affect children less than 10 years old, however it may also occur in adults. Boys are affected more often than girls.

Symptoms vary depending on the location of the carcinoma but may include painless swelling or mass formation, fever, weight loss and anemia.

Diagnosis typically requires biopsy and imaging studies such as CT scans or MRI to assess extent of disease involvement. Additional tests such as blood tests, bone scans or lumbar punctures may also be recommended by your medical provider.

While there have been successes in treatment with combination therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, depending on stage at diagnosis; however prognosis can vary from patient to patient due to variability amongst tumors and individual response to treatment.

While lifestyle changes cannot directly affect this condition due to its nature, supportive care services such as nutrition counseling, physical therapy and emotional support can go a long way towards helping patients manage their symptoms and promote tolerance towards treatments.

Yes, clinical trials have long been active in researching new treatments for ARMS through comparing traditional treatments against novel approaches using different combinations of drugs or procedures. Those interested can find additional information online regarding trial participation opportunities available across various locations nationwide.