What is Sarcoma?

21:55 - 4 May , 2021

Disease

It is a variety of cancer that develops in the bones and connective tissues of the body, also called soft tissues, such as muscles, nerves, ligaments, fat, tendons, and lymphatic and blood vessels. The most affected areas are usually the arms and legs, although the malignant tumor can also develop at the level of the head, neck, abdominal cavity, and trunk.

Although the cause of a sarcoma is unknown, several factors can contribute to its appearance, such as:

  • Contact with the herpes virus.
  • Contact with chemical substances.
  • Lymphedema.
  • Hereditary disorders
  • Radiological treatments.

More than 75 types of sarcoma have been identified, the most common being:

  • Ewing.
  • Kaposi.
  • Soft tissue.
  • Synovial.
  • Epithelioid.
  • Angiosarcoma.
  • Chondrosarcoma.
  • Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.
  • Fibrosarcoma.
  • Leiomyosarcoma.
  • Liposarcoma.
  • Myxofibrosarcoma.
  • OsteosarcomaSymptoms:

Signs and symptoms Sarcoma

The symptoms will depend on the condition, but the characteristic signs consist of:

  • Abdominal pain.
  • Aching bones.
  • Unjustified bone fractures.
  • Decreased body weight.
  • Painful lump that can be felt.

If the sarcoma is located in the upper and lower limbs, inflammation occurs. If it appears in the abdominal cavity, the characteristic symptoms are bleeding and intestinal obstruction.

Diagnosis and treatment Sarcoma

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and request the following tests to make an accurate diagnosis:

  • Blood test.
  • Imaging studies:
  • Ultrasound.
  • X-rays.
  • MRI.
  • Computed tomography.
  • Positron emission tomography (PET).
  • Biopsies. 

The appropriate treatment for your case is established according to your type of sarcoma, its location, and the stage in which it is found, but the most common is to resort to surgery to eliminate cancer cells in combination with other tools, either before or after surgery, such as:

  • Immunotherapy.
  • Chemotherapy. 
  • Radiotherapy.
  • Ablation therapy.
  • Targeted therapy. 

Since its inauguration in 2009, our Cancer Center offers chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments at the level of the best medical centers in the world through a comprehensive care model for cancer patients.

Fuentes:

  • cancer.org
  • cancer.net
  • cancer.gov
  • mayoclinic.org
  • medlineplus.gov
  • medigraphic.com
  • Hinojosa GJ, Villalobos PA, Hernández MOR. Sarcoma de Ewing extraóseo. An Med Asoc Med Hosp ABC. 2021;66(4):283-287. doi:10.35366/102928.
  • León PJC, Sáez CC, Pujadas RX. Sarcoma de Kaposi epidémico en gestante del tercer trimestre. Revista Cubana de Obstetricia y Ginecología. 2020;46(4):1-11.
  • Alpízar-QuesadaO. Sarcoma de Kaposi perianal. Mediciego. 2019;25(3):372-373.
  • Ibargüengoitia-Ochoa F, Lira-Plascencia J, Gallardo-Gómez F, et al. Sarcomas durante el embarazo: reporte de dos casos y revisión bibliográfica. Ginecol Obstet Mex. 2021;89(06):497-502.

How can we help you?

    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.