Understanding Sarcoma

Keeping yourself healthy is a continual process. Even as we age, we need to keep ourselves physically active, fuel ourselves with nutritious foods and educate ourselves on potential health concerns. July is Sarcoma Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to learn about the types of sarcomas and what to expect if you develop sarcoma. 

What is Sarcoma?

Sarcoma is a term used to describe various cancers that originate in the bones or soft tissues. Sarcoma symptoms can differ depending on the type, but common signs include a tumor that you can feel through the skin, bone pain, unexpected broken bones, unexplained weight loss, and abdominal pain. The most common types of sarcoma cancer are:

• Osteosarcoma- The most common form of sarcoma, osteosarcoma most often develops in the leg and arm bones. Symptoms of osteosarcoma include swelling around the bone, joint and bone pain, and unexplained bone injury or break. 
• Dermatofibrosarcoma- Dermatofibrosarcoma is a type of skin cancer developing in the dermis or middle layer of the skin. In the early stages, dermatofibrosarcoma looks like a bruise or a scar. As cancer develops, it grows as a lump on the surface of the skin. 
• Fibrosarcoma- Fibroblasts are cells that make up connective tissue. When there is an uncontrolled overgrowth of fibroblast cells that develops a tumor, it’s called fibrosarcoma. Beyond a visual tumor, fibrosarcoma can also cause pain or soreness in the nerves or muscles.
• Liposarcoma- Liposarcoma causes tumors in fatty tissue, most commonly in the abdomen, thigh, or behind the knee. Symptoms include a noticeable tumor, along with pain and swelling of the area. 
• Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)- GIST is a tumor that develops in the digestive system. It’s most common in the stomach and small intestine. Signs of GIST include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss. GIST can also cause anemia if the tumor starts slow bleeding. 

It’s still unclear to medical professionals what causes most types of sarcomas, but they have been able to identify a few risk factors. Those who develop sarcoma might have inherited syndromes that increase the risk of developing cancer, have undergone radiation therapy, are prone to chronic swelling, or have been exposed to industrial chemicals or viruses such as human herpesvirus 8.

Diagnosing and Treating Sarcoma

If it’s believed you have sarcoma, your doctor will first likely do a physical exam to understand your symptoms better. Some doctors may require image testing, such as x-rays, to examine the bone. Doctors may also suggest a biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure where the doctor removes a small portion of tissue from the infected area for testing. 

Treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of sarcoma. Your doctor will also consider the age of the person diagnosed and whether the person has any pre-existing conditions. Treatment options can include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or ablation therapy. After treatment, there may be additional discomfort, but it typically subsides with time.

How Visiting Angels Can Help

If you or an aging loved one has sarcoma or another type of cancer that makes completing tasks around the home challenging, the team at Visiting Angels Atlanta East can help. Our compassionate caregivers provide light housekeeping, meal preparations, medication reminders, transportation, and more. Our Atlanta East office serves those in Atlanta, Buckhead, Decatur, Vinings, and the surrounding Georgia communities. If you’d like to learn more about our services or schedule a free consultation, you can complete this online form or give us a call at 404.358.5877.