You probably know about lung cancer, mouth cancer, and breast cancer, but have you ever heard of sarcoma? If not, don’t worry, as we have shared everything about this rare and aggressive cancer.
Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that spreads rapidly, making it difficult to diagnose. There is a lack of awareness about sarcoma cancer compared to other cancers such as breast cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, and skin cancer. It is a cancerous tumor that develops in the connective tissues of the bones. These tissues are generally responsible for supporting or connecting various cells or tissues in the body such as fat, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, bones, and cartilage.
Types of sarcoma
There are two types of sarcoma, namely soft tissue sarcoma and bone sarcoma:
- Soft tissue sarcoma: This usually starts in places such as fat (liposarcoma), muscle (leiomyosarcoma), nerve cells (neurosarcoma), and deep skin tissue (Kaposi sarcoma). There are more than 40 to 50 subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma. It can appear anywhere in the body, but is most common in areas such as the arms, legs, and chest.
- Bone sarcoma: Also known as osteosarcoma, this occurs in the bones. It happens when bone cells grow aggressively and uncontrollably and begin to divide. Children and young adults are at highest risk for developing bone sarcoma in long bones, such as the arms or legs.
Symptoms and treatment
Sarcoma is difficult to detect in its early stages as it rarely causes noticeable symptoms. This can be detrimental as the cancer may have spread to other parts of the body by the time it is detected. People may experience abdominal pain that gets worse over time, internal bleeding, bone swelling and stiffness, restricted mobility, fever, unusual lumps, fatigue, unintentional weight gain and decreased appetite.
According to Dr Amol Pawar, Radiation Oncologist, Onco Life Cancer Centre, Chiplun, “What makes sarcoma cancer dangerous and potentially life-threatening is its ability to spread rapidly to other parts of the body than one might imagine. The cells that cause sarcoma are much more aggressive as they grow and divide faster. This rapid growth of the cells encourages them to take over other tissues in the body. Once it invades the blood vessels, it can easily travel through the lungs and liver, promoting the formation of new tumors. The potential for metastasis is higher in sarcoma cancer compared to other cancers, which means that it spreads rapidly from its original location to various parts of the body.”
If you are diagnosed with sarcoma, keep in mind that treatment options and prognosis depend on multiple factors that your doctor can explain to you. Treatment options and likely outcomes are as varied as sarcomas themselves.
