Side effects of treatment
Treatment for rhabdomyosarcoma often causes side effects, and your child’s doctor will discuss this with you before treatment starts. Any possible side effects will depend upon the particular treatment being used and the part of the body that is being treated. Side effects can include:nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting, hair loss, an increased risk of infection or bruising and bleeding, tiredness and diarrhoea.
Late side effects
A small number of children may develop side effects many years after their treatment for a rhabdomyosarcoma. Longer term side effects depend on the type of treatment used and may include possible reduced growth, infertility, a change in the way the heart and the kidneys work, hearing problems and a small increase in the risk of developing a second cancer in later life.
Follow-up
About two thirds of all children with rhabdomyosarcoma are cured. After treatment the doctors will regularly check the child to be sure the cancer has not come back and that there are no complications. After a while you will not need to visit the clinic so often.
If you have specific concerns about your child’s condition and treatment, it is best to discuss them with your child’s doctor, who knows the situation in detail.
