Recall the seemingly calm and white tip of the iceberg that unforeseen Ly caused the sinking of the Titanic. That unseen mass, far more extensive than anyone realized until it was too late, caused the ship’s ultimate wreck.
Unfortunately, the story of sarcoma mirrors this harsh reality. The early signs of sarcoma are usually vague, most commonly presented as a persistent ache dismissed as growing pains or a small lump considered as a harmless cyst. But for these rare and complex cancers, these initial symptoms can be just the surface indicators of a much larger, more serious issue developing unseen.
we at ALMehwar Hospital are urging you to look beyond the surface. Understanding the iceberg beneath – the true nature of sarcoma – is crucial for early detection and better outcomes.
Join us as we answer the most common questions about sarcoma and bone cancer, because when it comes to your health, what you don’t see can be the greatest threat.
Q1 What is Sarcoma?
Sarcoma refers to a broad group of cancers that begins in bone or in the soft tissues of the body, including: cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, or other connective tissue.
Q2 What are the types of Sarcoma?
There are 2 main types of Sarcoma:
Primary bone sarcoma or cancer: Primary bone sarcoma starts in the bone itself. They most commonly affect children and young adults. There are several types of primary bone cancer.
This is different from bone metastases or Secondary bone cancer, which spreads from other organs such as the breast or lung to the bones. These cancers are named for the place they began.
Soft tissue sarcoma: is a rare type of cancer that starts in the soft tissue as muscles, fat, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons. Unlike bone sarcomas, most soft tissue sarcomas occur in adults.
Q3 What are the types of Primary Bone Cancer?
There are three main types of primary bone cancer.
Osteosarcoma: is the most common primary bone cancer. It begins in the bone-forming cells. It primarily affects teenagers and young adults.
Chondrosarcoma: originates in cartilage, and is more common in adults.
Ewing Sarcoma: can arise in bone or soft tissue, and is most common in children and teenagers although it can happen at any age.
Q4 What are the symptoms of Sarcoma?
Sarcoma symptoms are vague, as they are shared with many other conditions. These may include:
- Unexplained loss of weight.
- Back pains.
- A new lump that may or may not cause pain.
- A bone fracture after minimal or no injury
- Pain in the abdomen or pelvis or the extremities (arms and legs)
Q5 How are sarcomas diagnosed?
Diagnosis of Sarcoma includes several steps. Your doctor will start with taking your full history which includes asking about your symptoms and your health history. Then physical examination before the tests to gather more information as a starting point. The tests depend on the organ the sarcoma originates.
But in general, Imaging tests required include:
- Xray
- MRI
- Ultrasound
- CT
- PET scan
A biopsy or tissue sample may be required to send to the pathology lab for further analysis of the type of sarcoma and the best suitable treatments.
Q6 How are sarcomas treated?
A multidisciplinary healthcare team of surgeons, pathologists, medical oncologists, radiologists are required in the management process. The treatment depends on several factors such as the type of sarcoma, its size and location, your overall health, and whether it is a de novo or recurrent cancer.
Treatment options include:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Thermal ablation
- Targeted therapy
Not all ships have to sink. Awareness of the disease and its symptoms, along with early diagnosis and treatment, can save not only pain but lives. If you have any of these symptoms, have a checkup at ALMehwar outpatient clinics today and feel secure in knowing you’ve looked beneath the surface to protect your well-being.