Rhabdomyoma

A rhabdomyoma is a benign tumor of striated muscle. Rhabdomyomas may be either "cardiac" or "extracardiac" (occurring outside of the heart). Extracardiac forms of rhabdomyoma are subclassified into three distinct types: (1) Adult type, (2) Fetal type, and (3) Genital type.

Cardiac rhabdomyomas are the most common primary tumor of the heart in infants and children. It has an association with tuberous sclerosis. In those with tuberous sclerosis, the tumor may regress and disappear completely, or remain consistent in size.

It is most commonly associated with the tongue and heart, but can also occur in other locations, such as the vagina.

Malignant skeletal muscle tumors are referred to as rhabdomyosarcoma. Only rare cases of possible malignant change have been reported in fetal rhabdomyoma.