July is Sarcoma Awareness Month and we at 3Rivers Cancer Centre are committed to sharing information about sarcomas.
About Sarcomas:
They are a group of malignant tumours found in various tissues in the body. They develop in the bones and soft tissues, including fat, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, deep skin tissues and fibrous tissues.
They comprise of 1% of adult cancer diagnosis, making them a rare form of cancer.
Types:
There are 100 different subtypes of sarcomas.
- Soft tissue sarcomas form in cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, tendons, nerves, and around joints. They are more common in adults, but also occur in children.
- Bone sarcomas (Osteosarcomas) are bone tumors. They are more common in children.
- Liposarcomas form in fat cells.
- Rhabdomyosarcomas form in muscle.
Risk factors:
Most of them do not have a known cause, however there are several risk factors, including;
- History of radiation therapy
- Genetic disorders
- Chemical exposure
- Long-term swelling
Here is an infographic highlighting the definition and symptoms of sarcomas:
Treatment of sarcomas:
They are treated with a combination of chemotherapy , radiation therapy and surgery.
Your treatment plan will depend on the type of sarcoma, tumor location and size, your age, and multiple other factors.
Reach out to us and book a consultation with our consultants who will walk you through this journey. We are located at Afri-Courts Building on Buganda road. You can reach us on our hospital lines +256772555640 / +256758666312.
We pride ourselves in ensuring we provide patient-centered, individualized care as we journey towards your recovery.
Article written by: Dr. Joy Mueni – Medical staff at 3Rivers Cancer Centre