Raising awareness on Sarcoma

IT’S a broad group of cancers which make up one of the five major types of cancers. It’s called Sarcoma and occurs in bone and connective tissue such as fat and muscle.

According to Cansa’s Professor Michael C Herbst, it’s not clear what actually causes Sarcoma, however there are 20 different types of the disease.

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“DNA mutations in soft tissue sarcoma are common, but they’re usually acquired during life rather than having been inherited before birth. Acquired mutations may result from exposure to radiation or cancer-causing chemicals. In most sarcomas, they occur for no apparent reason,” he said.

Some of the factors that can increase the risk of sarcoma such as inherited syndromes, radiation therapy for cancer, chronic swelling (lymphedema), exposure to certain chemicals and exposure to viruses.

“The symptoms depend on the tumour type and where in the body the tumour is located. Sarcomas may include a noticeable lump or pain with each type having different characteristics. T

he treatments may include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.” Professor Herbst lists the different types of Sarcomas as follows:

Angiosarcoma develops from the cells that make up the walls of blood vessels and is often found on the face and scalp. It can occur anywhere throughout the body but most commonly in the skin, breast, liver, spleen, and in the deep tissues of the body.

Chondrosarcoma develops in the cartilage cells. It mostly affects adults above the age of 40 and the most common sites are the upper arm, pelvis and thigh bone. They make up 37% of all bone sarcoma diagnoses.

Ewing’s sarcoma makes up 14% of all bone sarcoma diagnoses. It most commonly affects teenagers and young adults with the pelvis, thigh bone and shin bone being the most commonly affected areas.

Fibroblastic sarcoma develops in the fibrous tissues within the body. It is most commonly found in the limbs, skin (dermofibrosarcoma) and in the trunk.Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) develops in the connective tissues: muscle, bone, nerves, cartilage, tendons, blood vessels and the fatty and fibrous tissues. GIST is the most common type of sarcoma.

Leiomyosarcoma develops in the smooth muscle cells, which are sometimes called involuntary muscles because they cause organs to contract without our control.

Liposarcoma develops from the fat cells found all over the body. It can occur anywhere throughout the body but most commonly on the trunk, limbs and in the retroperitoneum. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) also known as neurofibrosarcomas, develop in the cells that cover nerves. They can occur anywhere throughout the body. MPNSTs occur mainly in adults.

Osteosarcoma is a type of bone sarcoma mostly diagnosed in teenagers and young people; however, it can also affect older adults. It mostly affects the knee, thigh bone, shin bone or upper arm. They make up 30% of all bone sarcoma diagnoses.

Retroperitoneal sarcoma occur in the retroperitoneum. This is an area behind the lining of the abdominal space that covers the abdominal organs. The retroperitoneum is deep in the abdomen and pelvis, behind the abdominal lining, where organs such as the major blood vessels, kidneys, pancreas and bladder are located.

Rhabdomyosarcoma develops in the skeletal or voluntary muscles of the body – the muscles we can control ourselves. It is most commonly found in the head and neck but it also occurs in the abdomen. This is a rare type of sarcoma that affects more children than adults.

Soft tissue Ewing’s sarcoma usually affects the bone; however, this type develops in the soft tissue around the bone.

Soft tissue sarcoma develop in supporting or connective tissue such as the muscle, nerves, tendons, blood vessels and fatty and fibrous tissues.

Synovial sarcoma develops in cells around joints and tendons. Synovial sarcoma can occur anywhere throughout the body but often near the knee. Synovial sarcoma is most commonly associated with young adults. If you are experiencing symptoms such as pain and tumours,

Professor Herbst recommends that you seek professional help from your physician.

“Every individual should know his or her body from the top of their head to the soles of their feet. Anything that is different today than it was yesterday, last month, last year – should report the change(s) to his/her physician so that the cause can be determined. An early diagnosis leads to early treatment – which results in improved chances for healing or, in the case of sarcoma, getting the right treatment and and going into remission following such successful,” he said.