Understanding Sarcomas: Key Facts, Symptoms, And Treatments

Sarcomas are rare cancers originating in connective tissues, including muscles, bones, fat, and nerves, and can be aggressive.

These cancers are categorised based on tissue origin, with distinct histological and molecular characteristics for each subtype.

The two main types of sarcomas are soft tissue sarcoma and bone sarcoma, each with unique features and treatments.

Soft tissue sarcomas affect tissues like fat, muscle, nerves, and blood vessels, including leiomyosarcoma, liposarcoma, and synovial sarcoma.

Bone sarcomas originate in bones, with osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma being common examples affecting bone and soft tissue.

Symptoms of sarcoma vary by location but often include localized pain, swelling, and noticeable lumps or masses.

Surgical resection is the primary treatment for sarcomas, aiming to remove the tumor while preserving surrounding healthy tissue.

Radiation therapy can shrink tumours pre-surgery or target residual cancer cells post-surgery, while chemotherapy may treat widespread cancer.

Targeted therapies and immunotherapies, like checkpoint inhibitors, are promising treatments for specific sarcoma subtypes based on molecular characteristics.

July is Sarcoma Awareness Month, an important time to raise awareness and improve outcomes for those affected by sarcomas.

Inputs shared by- -Dr. Fahad Afzal- Consultant Medical Oncology- Jaslok Hospital & Research centre, Mumbai