When people hear the word “sarcoma,” they often think of cancer in a different part of the body. However, while some types of the cancer look like normal tissue, others are completely different. Some are considered to be a form of primitive cell proliferation. These cells have special abilities to develop into particular organs or tissues. These cells have been known to become tumors in several different parts of the body, including the bone.
Soft-tissue sarcomas can develop anywhere in the body, but most commonly affect the arms, legs, chest, abdomen, and face. Symptoms may not be apparent until the cancer has spread to the surrounding organs. However, some people may notice a slow-growing mass in an area where there is little movement. These lumps may cause burning or tingling, or they may cause blood in the stool. Swelling may also occur in an area where the tumor pushes against lymph vessels, and they may even damage the skin.
If the tumor is suspected to be a sarcoma, treatment is often determined through a series of diagnostic tests. A noninvasive X-ray may be ordered to determine whether the tumor is located in the body’s bones or lungs. In some cases, a chest X-ray will be ordered to determine if the cancer has spread to the lungs. Another test, known as a CT scan, takes data from several X-ray images and can show bones and tissues. This test is often used to detect a soft-tissue sarcoma in the chest.
Soft tissue sarcomas are most common among young children. They begin in immature cells in the developing fetus. These cells help form skeletal muscle. Although they can develop anywhere in the body, they typically arise in the abdomen and pelvis. Some aggressive forms of soft-tissue sarcoma may spread to the lungs and liver. It is important to note that aggressive soft tissue sarcomas often recur after treatment.
Although the survival rate of sarcoma cancer is comparatively high, the overall survival rate is still below 50%. It is important to note that if the cancer is detected at an early stage, it is often easy to remove. Although it may spread to other tissues, most patients live until five years or more. The survival rate of sarcoma cancer depends on the stage of the disease, the stage of the cancer, and the type of treatment.
While there is no cure for sarcoma, treatments can help patients cope with the disease. A surgeon can perform surgery to remove the tumor, or use biopsy to identify the type of sarcoma. A doctor can then decide which treatments are best for the patient based on the type of sarcoma. This helps them predict the response to treatment and personalize the treatment. The most common types of soft tissue sarcoma are leiomyosarcoma and liposarcoma. Another form of soft tissue sarcoma is malignant schwannoma, which begins in the peripheral nervous system.
A doctor may be able to identify a sarcoma if it is detected during a routine checkup. These cancers can spread to other parts of the body, including the brain, liver, and lungs. In the United States, approximately 14,000 to 15,000 sarcomas are diagnosed each year, with about 3,000 bone sarcomas and 11,000 or more soft tissue sarcomas.
