New Delhi: Sarcomas is an uncommon group of cancers that arise in the bones and connective tissues including fat and muscles. In India, the incidence of these tumours ranges between 1 to 2 per cent. As per reports, paediatric sarcomas do occur but awareness is quite low in the country.
Sarcomas affect the arms, legs and trunk in most of the cases. In some cases, they also show up in the stomach and intestines as well as behind the abdomen. During Sarcoma Awareness Month, let’s understand what is the disease, how it occurs and the symptoms of the condition.
Dr Pritam Kataria, Consultant, Medical Oncology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital shared with News9, “Sarcomas account for over 20 per cent of all paediatric solid malignant cancers and less than 1 per cent of all adult solid malignant cancers.”
Risk factors of sarcoma
The risks of sarcoma are not well understood. Risk factors for sarcoma include environmental exposures, genetic conditions, and an interaction between the two.
As per Dr Kataria, “HIV-positive individuals are at an increased risk for Kaposi’s sarcoma, even though HHV8 is the causative virus. Exposure to harmful radiation from radiotherapy has been strongly linked with secondary sarcoma formation in some cancer patients.”
Occupational factors such as job type, industry, and exposure to chemicals such as herbicides and chlorophenols have been suggested as risk factors for sarcomas.
Symptoms of sarcoma
Signs and symptoms of sarcoma include:
• A lump or tumour that can be felt through the skin which may or may not be painful
• Bone pain
• A broken bone that happens unexpectedly
• Abdominal pain
•Weight loss Management of sarcoma
Diagnosis is based on clinical presentations. Generally, the diagnostics involve a Biopsy of the lesion.
The Biopsy can be open Biopsy for example in Bone Sarcoma. otherwise, it is a USG OR CT-guided biopsy based on the location of tumour. The imaging may include an MRI of the lesion and, a CT chest.
PETCT can be done in certain situations.
Treatment of Sarcoma
Treatment of sarcoma is based on the type, stage and extent of disease. Generally in Bone Sarcoma initial treatment is chemotherapy followed by surgery followed by Radiation and chemotherapy.
For soft tissue sarcoma treatment would be generally surgery followed by radiation or chemotherapy.
In advanced sarcoma treatment would be surgery. In certain situations where some mutation when present can mandate the need for targeted therapy.
In India, the incidence of this tumours ranges between 1 to 2 per cent. As per reports, paediatric sarcomas do occur but awareness is quite low in the country. Health Conditions Health News: Latest News from Health Care, Mental Health, Weight Loss, Disease, Nutrition, Healthcare
