A usually aggressive malignant neoplasm of the soft tissue or bone. It arises from muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, bone, cartilage, and blood vessels. Sarcomas occur in both children and adults. The prognosis depends largely on the degree of differentiation (grade) of the neoplasm. Representative subtypes are liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, osteosarcoma, and chondrosarcoma.
Symptoms of Sarcoma
The following features are indicative of Sarcoma:
lump formation
swelling
pain
soreness
It is possible that Sarcoma shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Sarcoma
The following are the most common causes of Sarcoma:
DNA mutations
Risk Factors for Sarcoma
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Sarcoma:
hereditary retinoblastoma
Li-Fraumeni syndrome
familial adenomatous polyposis
neurofibromatosis
tuberous sclerosis
Werner syndrome
exposure to herbicides, arsenic and dioxin
radiation exposure
Prevention of Sarcoma
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Sarcoma. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
avoiding exposure to radiations
avoiding exposure to chemicals such as herbicides, arsenic and dioxin
Occurrence of Sarcoma
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Sarcoma cases seen each year worldwide:
Not common between 50K - 500K cases
Common Age Group
Sarcoma can occur at any age.
Common Gender
Sarcoma can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Sarcoma
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Sarcoma:
Computed tomography: To create pictures of cross-sections of the effective area
Magnetic resonance imaging: To evaluate the area of concern
Sample tissue biopsy: To diagnose the sarcoma
Positron emission tomography: To show how organs and tissues are working
X-rays: To get the images of affected area
Complications of Sarcoma if untreated
Yes, Sarcoma causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Sarcoma is left untreated:
leg swelling
shortness of breath
heavy cough
Procedures for Treatment of Sarcoma
The following procedures are used to treat Sarcoma:
Surgery: To remove the cancer and some healthy tissue surrounding it
Radiation therapy: To kill cancer cells
Chemotherapy: To inhibit the growth of cancer cells
Self-care for Sarcoma
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Sarcoma:
Regular exercise: Do regular exercise to maintain physical and mental health