Download Sarcoma What is sarcoma? - Community Cancer Connections

Sarcoma
What is sarcoma?
A sarcoma is a cancerous tumor that originates in the body’s connective tissue. While sarcomas can
occur almost anywhere in the body, arms and legs are the most common sites for sarcoma tumors to
grow. This is because the limbs contain a relatively high amount of connective tissue compared to the
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rest of the body. Sarcomas account for 1% of all adult cancers and 15% of cancers found in children .
What are the different types of sarcoma?
There are several types of sarcomas that affect the different cells of the body’s connective tissue. Read
more about the types of sarcomas at:
http://cancer.dukemedicine.org/cancer/patient-care-services/sarcoma/about/care_guides/types-ofsarcoma
What are the symptoms of sarcoma?
Sarcomas, at least in their early stages, typically do not cause noticeable symptoms, which can make
their early diagnosis very difficult. The first sign of sarcoma is usually a noticeable, but painless lump or
swelling somewhere on the body. Theses lumps eventually may become painful as they compress the
surrounding tissues. Sometimes bone sarcomas will weaken affected areas of the bone to the point of
fracture.
Be suspicious of:
● New or abnormal lumps or persistent swelling anywhere on your body, even if they are
painless.
● Prolonged and unexplained pain anywhere on your body
How is sarcoma diagnosed?
Physical exams will be performed to examine the body for visible and felt symptoms.
Imaging tests use x-rays, magnetic fields, or sound waves to create pictures of the inside of your body.
For sarcomas, imaging tests include x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) scans, ultrasounds, positron emission tomography (PET) scans.
Biopsy involves removing and studying a small portion of a suspected sarcoma tumor under a
microscope. Other tests may suggest the presence of a sarcoma, but a biopsy is the only way to confirm
the presence of a sarcoma.
What are the different stages of Sarcoma?
The system often used to stage sarcomas is the TNM system of American Joint Committee on Cancer.
The TNM system describes 3 key pieces of information:
● T stands for the size of the tumor.
● N stands for spread to lymph nodes (small bean-shaped collections of immune system
cells found throughout the body that help fight infections and cancers).
● M is for metastasis (spread to distant organs).
What are the treatment options for sarcomas?
This sarcoma treatment information does not outline the particular treatment(s) a patient will receive.
Rather, it provides general information about the typical treatments for this type of cancer.
Primary treatment options:
Surgery consists of removing the sarcoma tumor and surrounding tissue. Small sarcomas can
usually be effectively treated with surgery alone. However, sarcoma tumors larger than 5 cm are
often treated with a combination of surgery and radiation therapy.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays or particles to kill cancer. For sarcomas, radiation
therapy may be done before surgery to shrink the tumor so it is more easily removed. Types of
radiation therapy used for sarcomas include external beam radiation therapy and internal
radiation therapy (brachytherapy).
Chemotherapy employs drugs to treat cancer. Chemotherapy is often used when a sarcoma has
metastasized, before surgery to shrink the tumor, and/or after surgery to prevent recurrence.
Secondary treatment options:
Targeted therapies/kinase-directed therapies are drugs that restrict the growth of sarcoma
cells and protect normal cells from damage.
What are the risk factors of Sarcoma?
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Age: Sarcomas are correlated to advancing age. The average age at diagnosis is 57 years.
Chemical exposure: to vinyl chloride and dioxin increases the risk of developing soft tissue
sarcomas.
Radiation: Previous radiation exposure increases the possibility of developing soft tissue
sarcomas.
How is Sarcoma prevented?
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Avoiding of the aforementioned risk factors is the only known way to reduce the possibility of
developing Sarcoma
Created by:
Mikayla D. Williams, BS student, Nursing, The University of Arizona
Michael Principe, MA, Information Resources and Library Science
Works Cited:
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American Cancer Society (2014). Sarcoma-Adult Soft Tissue Cancer.
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/sarcoma-adultsofttissuecancer/index
Works Consulted:
Sarcoma Foundation of America (2014). About Sarcoma.
http://www.curesarcoma.org/index.php/patient_resources/
Sarcoma Alliance (2014). What you need to know.
http://sarcomaalliance.org/what-you-need-to-know/