Sarcoma Cancer Treatment In Delhi
What Are Sarcomas Cancers?
There are many types and subtypes of sarcomas, some are quite rare. The most commonly found types of sarcomas can be as follows:
- Osteosarcoma
- Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)
- Fibrosarcoma (fibroblastic sarcoma)
- Chondrosarcoma
- Ewing’s sarcoma
- Rhabdomyosarcoma
- Liposarcoma
- Synovial sarcoma
- Pleomorphic sarcoma
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumor
- Kaposi’s sarcoma
- Leiomyosarcoma
- Angiosarcoma
Where Does Sarcomas Cancer Start?
Because bone & soft tissues can be found nearly everywhere in the body, a sarcoma can start in any part of the body.
- 60% begin in an arm or leg
- 30% start in the torso or abdomen
- 10% occur in the head or neck
Both children and adults can develop sarcoma.
Risk Factors of Sarcoma
Exposure to radiation
If you previously had high-dose radiation to treat other cancers (breast or cervical cancer) then there’s a higher risk of you developing a soft tissue sarcoma.
Damaged lymph system or lymphedema
Chronic lymphedema after radiation to lymph nodes, or the surgical removal of lymph nodes.
Exposure to chemicals
If you have worked with or have been around certain chemicals like vinyl chloride monomer, herbicides, chemical dioxin, and chlorophenols, may increase the risk of sarcoma.
Family history
If a number of your family members have had sarcoma or other cancers previously, these types of inherited diseases or a defective gene can put you at greater risk for developing a sarcoma. These diseases include Neurofibromatosis, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Werner syndrome, tuber sclerosis complex, Retinoblastoma, etc.
Can Sarcomas Be Found Earlier?
There are no screening tests or exams recommended for people with no family history of sarcoma or other sarcoma risk factors. The best way a sarcoma can be found is by acknowledging your doctor of any unexplained lumps or growths or other symptoms that may be caused by sarcoma.
However, you can opt for genetic testing, it can be very helpful to determine your chances of developing cancer. Genetic testing can be used to detect most cancer types, these tests are beneficial to:
- Predict your risk of a particular disease
- Find if you have genes that may pass increased cancer risk to your children
- Provide information to guide your health care
No genetic test can say if you will develop cancer for sure. But it can tell you if you have a higher risk than most people.
Signs & Symptoms of Sarcomas
Sarcomas can start in any part of the body. The types of symptoms that people have from a sarcoma depend on where it starts. People with sarcoma may experience the following symptoms or signs. Sometimes, people with sarcoma do not have any of these changes.
- A lump that can be felt through the skin that may or may not be painful
- Bone pain
- A broken bone that happens unexpectedly, such as with a minor injury or no injury at all
- Abdominal pain
- Weight loss
Sarcomas Diagnosis
A diagnosis of sarcoma is made by a combination of clinical examination by a doctor & imaging tests. It is confirmed by the results of a biopsy. In addition to a physical examination, some of the tests described below may be used to diagnose sarcoma.
- Physical Examination & Medical History
- Biopsy
- X-ray
- Ultrasound
- Computed Tomography (CT or CAT) Scan
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan
- Tissue Testing Of The Tumor
Sarcomas Treatment
Sarcomas treatment options and recommendations depend on several factors, such as type, stage, grade of sarcoma, possible side effects, and the patient’s preferences and overall health.
Local Treatments
Local treatments treat the tumor without affecting the rest of the body.
- Surgery
- Radiation Therapy
- External-beam Radiation Therapy
- Brachytherapy
- Proton Beam Radiation Therapy
Systemic Treatments
Systemic therapy is the use of medication to destroy cancer cells. This type of medication is given through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body.