UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is a regional referral center for soft-tissue and bone sarcomas. Sarcomas can affect bone, muscle, cartilage, connective tissue, blood vessels, and more. UC Davis Cancer Center’s multidisciplinary team treats patients from all over inland Northern California, Western Nevada, and Southern Oregon. The team’s expertise allows them to successfully treat patients from all stages of the disease.
The most common treatment for sarcoma is surgery. The surgeon removes the tumor and surrounding normal tissue. Afterward, a tissue sample is taken for a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Chemotherapy is another treatment for sarcomas, and is more effective in destroying cancer cells left behind after surgery. For soft tissue sarcoma, a drug called olaratumab is often prescribed.
Sarcomas grow in a different manner from other types of cancer. In a child, a sarcoma in an arm or leg might mimic sports injuries or growing pains. Children and adults should consult a doctor if they experience any of these symptoms. Treatment for sarcoma depends on its location and type. It may spread to other parts of the body and may require surgery. Once it has spread to other parts of the body, however, treatment can begin.
There is no definitive cause for sarcoma cancer, though genetics do appear to play a role. People with certain syndromes, such as neurofibromatosis, are at increased risk of developing sarcoma. Environmental factors may also increase the risk of sarcomas, including vinyl chloride, dioxins, and phenoxyacetic herbicides. Despite this, lifestyle factors do not seem to play a major role in the development of sarcoma. Nevertheless, living a healthful lifestyle may reduce the risk of developing many types of cancers, including sarcoma.
However, the literature on sarcoma cancer is extremely sparse. However, recent studies have shown that some risk factors, such as smoking and obesity, are associated with an increased risk of developing the disease. Therefore, more research is necessary to confirm the findings of current studies. The purpose of this review is to identify risk factors and help develop preventive guidelines. This will lead to more reliable information for the medical community. With these findings in hand, it will help guide future clinical practice.
In general, sarcoma cancer is caused by a growth in the soft tissues of the body. The primary site for a tumor is usually the soft tissue surrounding the bone. A patient with sarcoma can be affected in almost any bone on the body, and it may even spread to the lungs and bone marrow. Despite the fact that there is no specific cause of sarcoma cancer, it is important to seek the care of a cancer specialist.
Soft tissue sarcomas occur more often than malignant bone tumors. In fact, in 2008, 87% of sarcomas were soft tissue sarcomas. Malignant bone tumors, on the other hand, accounted for only 13% of all sarcoma cases. Chondrosarcomas and osteosarcomas were the most common types of malignant bone tumors. The remaining sarcomas are classified as “other specified soft tissue sarcomas.”
