Sarcoma Awareness Month 2024       

“The Importance of Early and Correct Diagnosis”

July is Sarcoma Awareness Month, a time dedicated to spreading awareness about this rare cancer that can appear and develop in various body tissues like muscles, bones, nerves, and fat tissues. Also, they can occur inside or outside of the body. This sort of cancers can affect people of all ages, but they are the third most common cancer in children.

Types of sarcoma

There are around 100 different subtypes of sarcoma and usually show up as swellings. These subtypes are generally grouped into two main types of sarcoma: soft tissue sarcomas and bone sarcoma.

• Soft tissue sarcomas are cancers that develop in supporting or connective tissue such as the muscle, nerves, tendons, blood vessels and fatty and fibrous tissues. They commonly affect the arms, legs and trunk. They also appear in the stomach and intestines (GIST) as well as behind the abdomen (retroperitoneal sarcomas) and the female reproductive system (gynecological sarcomas). The most common subtype of soft tissue sarcoma is GIST.

• Bone sarcoma (also known as primary bone cancer) is a rare cancer that starts in the bone. Bone sarcoma can affect any bone in the body, but most commonly affects the legs.

Causes of Sarcoma

Though sarcoma is not yet fully comprehended, but there are a few things that can increase the risk of sarcoma including: age, genetic conditions, previous radiotherapy, exposure to certain chemicals, and bone conditions.

Symptoms of sarcoma

The most common symptom of sarcoma is a lump that is growing or changing. The rest of the symptoms include bone pain, abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, and bloody vomit or poo. Sarcomas are usually found by a patient when a lump appears on the leg, arm or trunk. They can also be found during an investigation of other symptoms or during a routine operation.

Diagnosis Methods for Sarcoma

If the sarcoma is diagnosed at earlier stage, there will be the better chance of successful treatment. The diagnosis procedure involves series of tests like clinical investigations, imaging and bone scans, biopsy and genomic tests.

Treatment Options for Sarcoma

Tailored treatments based on the cancer stage and type, typically include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Over the past 33 years, MAHAK has provided services for over 4,700 patients dealing with sarcoma, which 800 of them are fully recovered from this cancer. The number indicates MAHAK commitment towards increasing survival rate in line with global health scheme in case of rare types of cancers.

Sarcoma Awareness Month highlights the importance of quick and accurate diagnosis for timely medical interventions to approach the most efficient cure. A purpose that MAHAK holds essential in defining its mission and vision.