The exact cause of rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is currently unknown. However, it is understood to stem from genetic changes within a developing soft tissue cell.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
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DNA and Cell Growth: At its core, RMS, like other cancers, begins with alterations in a cell's DNA. DNA serves as the instruction manual for a cell, dictating its growth, division, and function.
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Disrupted Instructions: In healthy cells, DNA provides precise instructions for controlled growth and multiplication. However, when DNA is damaged or mutated, these instructions become faulty. In the case of rhabdomyosarcoma, these altered instructions lead the soft tissue cell to grow and multiply uncontrollably, forming a tumor.
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Unclear Trigger: While we know how RMS starts (through DNA changes), the specific cause of these changes often remains unclear. There may be a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors at play, but the precise trigger is typically unidentified.
In summary, RMS arises from disruptions in a cell's DNA that lead to uncontrolled cell growth, but the specific events that cause these DNA mutations are not fully understood.
