Have you recently noticed something like a small lump somewhere on your body? Maybe it doesn't even hurt. Or is it a persistent pain in an arm, leg, or joint? We usually don't pay much attention to things like this, right? We think, "It's probably just a fatty lump" or "It must have been hit somewhere." But sometimes, even a small sign like this can be a symptom of a rare but important type of cancer called ' Sarcoma .' Don't worry, let's talk about this straight from the start, simply and clearly.
Simply put, what is sarcoma?
Sarcoma is a malignant tumor that develops in the bones or soft tissues of our body. Now you may be wondering what soft tissues are. That is, the tissues that support and connect other structures in our body.
For example:
These are the soft tissues of our body. So a sarcoma can occur anywhere in these areas.
Sarcoma is a relatively rare type of cancer . Sarcoma accounts for only 1% of all cancers in adults. However, it accounts for about 15% of all cancers in children. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of this.
Where in the body do sarcomas most commonly occur?
Although this cancer can develop anywhere from the head to the toes, there are a few places where it is most common. Consider, out of 100 sarcomas that develop:
- 40% of cases occur in the lower parts of the body, such as our legs, ankles, and feet .
- 15% occur in the upper parts of the body, such as the shoulders, arms, wrists, and fingers .
- About 30% of them develop in our trunk, chest, abdomen, or pelvis .
- The other 15% occur in the head and neck area.
What are the main types of sarcomas?
There are over 70 different subtypes within the large group called sarcomas. But let's divide them into two main categories: bone sarcomas and soft tissue sarcomas.
| Type of sarcoma | Simple description |
|---|---|
| Bone Sarcomas | These are cancers that start directly in the bones. These are called 'primary bone sarcoma'. They are most common in young people under the age of 35 and in children. Some examples are:
|
| Soft Tissue Sarcomas | These are cancers that start in soft tissues like muscle and fat. They are more common in adults than bone sarcomas. However, some types (for example, rhabdomyosarcoma) can also develop in children. Here are some examples:
|
Important: Sometimes, cancer cells that have started elsewhere (such as the lung, breast, or thyroid) can spread to the bones. This is called metastatic bone cancer. This is not a type of sarcoma. It is simply another type of cancer that has spread to the bones.
Why does this sarcoma develop? What are the risk factors?
As with other types of cancer, the exact cause of why a healthy cell suddenly becomes a cancer cell is still unknown. Simply put, the DNA of the cells that make up our bones or soft tissues changes (mutations), causing those cells to divide rapidly and uncontrollably.This accumulation of cells is what we see as a tumor. If left untreated, these cancer cells can travel through the blood or lymphatic system and spread to other parts of the body. This is called `(Metastasis)`.
However, several factors have been identified that increase the risk of developing sarcoma.
| Risk factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Chemicals | Long-term exposure to arsenic, some chemicals used to make plastics (vinyl chloride), herbicides, and wood preservatives. |
| Radiation | Having previously received high-dose radiation therapy as treatment for another cancer condition. |
| Lymphedema | Long-term swelling caused by the accumulation of lymph fluid in the arms or legs. |
| Genetic conditions | Some inherited genetic conditions (e.g., Neurofibromatosis type 1, Li-Fraumeni syndrome) may increase the risk. |
What are the symptoms of sarcoma?
This is where many people get confused. Because the symptoms of sarcoma vary greatly depending on where the tumor is located. Sometimes, there may be no symptoms at all in the early stages.
Here are some common symptoms:
- A new growth: This growth may or may not be painful. It may feel like a painless lump under the skin.
- Pain: Persistent pain in an arm, leg, abdomen, or pelvic area. For some people, this pain may be worse at night.
- Difficulty moving: The tumor may be pressing on a joint or muscle, making it difficult to bend or straighten the arm or leg properly.
- Weight loss for no reason.
- Back pain.
These symptoms are common to many other conditions, so don't be afraid to assume that it's sarcoma just because you have one of these signs. However, if you see something like this, it's important to see your doctor and get it checked out.
How does a doctor diagnose this as sarcoma?
When you go to the doctor, he will first ask you about your symptoms and perform a physical examination. If there is a tumor, he will check its size and nature. After that, he may refer you for several tests to diagnose the disease with certainty.
- X-ray examination: A basic test to check for any abnormalities in the bones and soft tissues.
- CT scan (Computed Tomography scan): A computer combines X-ray images to create cross-sectional images of the body. This can provide a clearer picture of the tumor.
- MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): This uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce very clear, detailed images of the inside of the body. This is especially important for looking at tumors in soft tissues.
- Biopsy: This is the most important and definitive test. This involves removing a small piece of tissue from the tumor through surgery or a special needle and examining it under a microscope in a laboratory. This is the only way to be 100% sure whether it is cancer, sarcoma, and what type it is.
Other tests such as a PET scan or bone scan may also be recommended.
What are the treatments for sarcoma?
Sarcoma treatment is not something that a single doctor can do alone. It requires a team of specialists from various fields, such as surgeons, oncologists, and radiation therapists, to come together to determine the best treatment plan.
The treatment method is determined based on factors such as:
- Type of sarcoma.
- The size and location of the tumor.
- Your overall health.
- Whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
There are several main treatment methods.
Surgery
The main treatment for most sarcomas is surgery. The goal is to completely remove the tumor. The tumor is also removed along with a small margin of healthy tissue around the tumor. This is to prevent microscopic cancer cells from remaining. Sometimes, if there is a large tumor on an arm or leg, special surgery is done to save the limb (limb salvage). However, very rarely, when the limb cannot be saved, amputation may be necessary.
Radiation Therapy
This involves using high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. Radiation therapy is given before surgery to shrink the tumor or to destroy any remaining cancer cells after surgery.
Chemotherapy
This involves giving special drugs to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells or stop their growth. These drugs can be given through a vein or as pills.
Other treatments
In addition, modern treatments such as targeted therapy, which attacks only specific weaknesses in cancer cells, and immunotherapy, which stimulates the body's own immune system to fight cancer, are now being used.
When is the best time to see a doctor?
Sarcoma is a disease that can be treated successfully if detected early. Therefore, do not delay and see a doctor immediately in the following cases.
If you have a new lump on your body, whether it hurts or not, especially if it is larger than a golf ball (about 5 centimeters), or if it continues to grow, you should definitely see a doctor.
Also, if there is persistent pain in a bone in an arm or leg without any apparent cause, do not ignore it.
Sarcoma is not a single cancer, but a group of cancers. Therefore, treatment and prognosis vary greatly from person to person, depending on the type and stage of the cancer. If you or someone you know has concerns about this, it is best to see a specialist for advice.
Take-Home Message
- Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in the bones and soft tissues.
- It is important to see a doctor about any new, growing, or larger lump on your body. Don't ignore it, whether it's painful or not.
- The most important test to definitively diagnose the disease is a biopsy.
- Treatment methods (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy) are determined individually for the patient and the nature of the cancer.
- Early diagnosis and initiation of treatment are crucial for successful outcomes.
Sarcoma, cancer, body tumors, bone cancer, soft tissue cancer, cancer symptoms
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