Understanding Sarcoma
What is Sarcoma?
Sarcomas are a rare group of cancers that develop in the bones and soft tissues, including fat, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, deep skin tissues and fibrous tissues. In most cases, it’s not clear what causes sarcoma. Family history and exposure to chemicals or radiation may increase risk.
Sarcomas can grow locally and invade nearby tissues. They can go undetected for a long time, and people often notice a lump that may or may not hurt and has grown over time.
Sarcomas can occur in many parts of the body, but are most often in the arms and legs
Symptoms: A hard mass or pain, often due to pressure on nearby nerves and soft tissues
1. Soft tissue sarcoma characterized by a painless lump or swelling in the arms, legs, chest, or abdomen
2. Bone sarcoma characterized by pain and/or swelling in an arm or leg, the trunk, the pelvis, or the back,
Examples include: Osteosarcoma in bones, liposarcoma in fat, and rhabdomyosarcoma in the muscles.
Treatment: Options include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and ablation therapy
Resources to learn more about Sarcoma
