SELECT YOUR LANGUAGE

July is Sarcoma Awareness Month.  A Sarcoma is a rare group of cancerous tumors that occurs in the bones and soft tissues, such as fat and muscle.  There are about twenty different types of Sarcoma (visit the Mayo Clinic website linked below to read about the types and descriptions of each).  There are also several symptoms of Sarcoma which include:

• A lump that can be felt through the skin that may or may not be painful

• Bone pain

• A broken bone that happens unexpectedly, such as with a minor injury or no injury at all

• Abdominal pain

• Weight loss
   

The cause of most Sarcomas is not clear, but most cancers form when changes (mutations) happen in the DNA within cells. The DNA inside a cell is developed into a large number of individual genes, each of which contains a “set of instructions” telling the cell what functions to perform, as well as how to grow and divide.

Mutations might tell cells to grow and divide uncontrollably and to continue living when normal cells would die. If this happens, the accumulating abnormal cells can form a tumor.  Cells can break away and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

​

Although, the cause is not clear, there are several risk factors that can increase the risk of Sarcoma.  The risk factors are:

• Inherited syndromes. Some syndromes that increase the risk of cancer can be passed from parents to children. Examples of syndromes that increase the risk of Sarcoma include familial retinoblastoma and neurofibromatosis type 1.

• Radiation therapy for cancer. Radiation treatment for cancer increases the risk of developing a Sarcoma later.

• Chronic swelling (lymphedema). Lymphedema is swelling caused by a backup of lymph fluid that occurs when the lymphatic system is blocked or damaged. It increases the risk of a type of Sarcoma called angiosarcoma.

• Exposure to chemicals. Certain chemicals, such as some industrial chemicals and herbicides, can increase the risk of Sarcoma that affects the liver.

• Exposure to viruses. The virus called human herpesvirus 8 can increase the risk of a type of Sarcoma called Kaposi's Sarcoma in people with weakened immune systems.
   

The treatment for Sarcoma depends on the individuals type of Sarcoma and what works best.  Surgery such as rotationplasty, prosthetics, chemotherapy, intraoperative radiation therapy, and proton therapy  are usually some of the treatment options for people with Sarcoma.   Medical Oncologists, Radiation Oncologist, Orthopedic Surgeons that specialize in Sarcoma treatment, Pathologists, and specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation can create the best treatment and care plan based on your needs.
 

Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sarcoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20351048

​

​

​

By Dietra Myers