What is a Rhabdomyoma?

What is a Rhabdomyoma? A Rhabdomyoma is a benign tumour involving striated muscles. Striated muscles is primarily found the myocardium (heart) and the tongue, but may be found in parts of the genitals. Rhabdomyomas are generally benign, but due to there location in the heart may cause more significant problems and may need to be removed.

Rhabdomyoma versus Rhabdomyosarcoma

Where Rhabdomyomas are generally benign and affect only striated muscles, on rare occasions a Rhabdomyosarcoma may develop, which is a malignant tumour affecting the skeletal muscles.

Rhabdomyoma Treatment

Rhabdomyomas rarely require treatment, being generally benign. In some cases the Rhabdomyomas are surgically removed from the heart in infants, where the position of the tumour causes cardiac function problems.

Paramedic treatment of and experience of rhabdomyomas is unlikely, except for the purpose of transporting these patients. In some cases, oxygen therapy and cardiac management may be necessary as a result of acute function damage to the myocardium. Although, generally, these cases will be identified early in the fetal stages, and then managed prior to the new born going home.