Sarcoma is a very rare cancer occurring in various tissues throughout the body. Most often, sarcoma begins in connective tissues and spreads from there to blood vessels, nerves, fat, cartilage, bones and muscles; at times, it’s found in other places as well. There are 50 types of sarcoma that are divided into two groups: Soft tissue sarcomas, and osteosarcomas (within the bones).

The exact cause is not known, but there are factors that can make one more prone to getting it such as radiation exposure, family history, genetic abnormalities, or previous bone disease. Symptoms can present as a painless lump, swelling, sore bones, limping, and shortness of breath. Currently, there are no tests to find sarcoma before symptoms begin and treatments depend on how early it’s found, how advanced it is, where it’s located and the level of metastasis. Even though there are no guarantees for preventing sarcoma, there are some common themes that have been noted in patients such as:

• Genetic abnormalities such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, neurofibromatosis retinoblastoma or Gardner syndrome
• Radiation Exposure of any type, most commonly among those who have had previous cancer treated with radiation
• An existing disease of the bones called Paget’s disease
• History of family members having sarcoma

1. Early warning signs of sarcoma

• Bone pain
• Swelling that starts weeks to months after pain begins
• A painless mass that at times can press on nerves and causing general discomfort and/or shortness of breath
• A developing limp in a leg

2. Diagnosis of sarcoma
Diagnosing sarcoma first begins with the initial symptoms. After those are considered, then the Dr. will perform blood work along with several tests and scans to see the tumor itself,as well as the surrounding area to check for metastasis. Those tests are:

• Biopsy which will take cells from the mass and test them
• Ultrasound
• CT scan
• Bone scan
• MRI

3. Treatments for sarcoma
There are treatments that can effectively slow the growth of sarcoma or remove it altogether, depending on its size, location and stage of metastasis. Those treatments are:

• Radiation which damages the DNA of cancer thereby causing its death
• Chemotherapy which damages the ability of cancer cells to replicate
• Using your own immune system in a new approach called Targeted Therapy. This treatment programs antibodies to fight a specific kind of cancer
• Surgery only when it is a viable option with a hopeful outcome

Thanks to the technology of today, it is possible to treat sarcoma effectively and diagnosis does not have to mean a death sentence. Although it is frightening to think of one having cancer, it is important to remember that for a majority of those diagnosed with low-grade, soft tissue sarcoma are cured by mere surgery alone. Of patients diagnosed with sarcoma of the bones (osteosarcoma), the survival odds are up to 75% as long as it hasn’t spread to the area surrounding the tumor. Most people diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma are cured by surgery alone, if the tumor is low-grade; that means it is not likely to spread to other parts of the body. More aggressive sarcomas are harder to treat successfully.

In addition, there are hundreds of support groups to be found on the web, and your oncologist is sure to have literature and other resources to help you through this difficult time. Be sure to connect with others that share the same burden. It is vital to know that you are not alone.