Rhabdoid tumours are rare tumour that occur in childhood. Only a few chidlren are diagnosed every year in the UK. There are 3 main types of rhabdoid tumours.
- Renal rhabdoid tumours - rhabdoid tumours that affect the kidney
- Atypical teratoid / rhabdoid tumours - rhabdoid tumours that affect the brain and spine
- Extra renal rhabdoid tumours - rhabdoid tumours that occur outside the kidney for example in the liver or muscle
Children with renal rhabdoid tumours often are thought to have a Wilms tumour until histology (examination of tumour tissue under a microscope) identifies it as a rhabdoid tumour.
Typically, malignant rhabdoid tumours are found in very young children – two thirds of cases occur under 12 months of age.
Malignant rhabdoid tumours have characteristic genetic changes, with a SMARCB1 mutation of the INI1 gene.
Treatment
Rhabdoid tumours are aggressive tumours that are challenging to treat. The main stay of treatment is intensive chemotherapy, surgery and in some children radiotherapy.
For more information on rhabdoid tumours, or if your child has been diagnosed with a rhabdoid tumour please go to My child has been diagnosed with a rhabdoid tumour
Rhabdoid families support group
For parents and carers of children who have received a diagnosis of a rhabdoid tumour (malignant rhabdoid tumour (renal and extra renal) or AT/RT.