rhabdoid tumor
(RAB-doyd TOO-mer)
A rare, fast-growing cancer that usually forms in the kidney or central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) but can also form in soft tissues in other areas of the body. Rhabdoid tumors tend to spread quickly, are hard to treat, and have a poor prognosis. Most rhabdoid tumors are caused by mutations (changes) in the tumor suppressor gene SMARCB1, which makes a protein that helps control cell growth. Rhabdoid tumors usually occur in infants and young children.