Unmasking Sarcoma: Types, Symptoms, and the power of Early Detection

In the vast landscape of cancer, sarcoma is the quiet rebel—often misunderstood as it is rare, and elusive. Sarcoma defies convention, in contrast to its more infamous cousins. It doesn't differentiate based on age and can develop from the soft tissues or bones, hiding in blood vessels, muscles, or nerves. Indeed, it is becoming more prevalent in the lives of Gen Z and millennials, surprising them with its subtle symptoms and underlying causes.

What is Sarcoma?

Sarcoma is not your everyday cancer—it’s a rare and often overlooked adversary that quietly emerges from the body's foundational structures. When cancer begins in these soft tissues, it’s known as soft tissue sarcoma, a diverse group with over 50 subtypes. Among them, Ewing sarcoma and synovial sarcoma are more commonly diagnosed in India, where awareness and early detection remain critical challenges. Bone sarcomas, though less frequent, are equally formidable.

Despite their complexity, sarcomas make up only 0.2% of all adult cancer diagnoses and about 15% of childhood cancer cases, making them rare but impactful.

Sarcoma may be rare, but its reach is wide and its impact profound. As research deepens and awareness grows, understanding this silent challenger is the first step toward empowering patients, families, and healthcare providers in the fight against it.

Types of Sarcoma:

A broad category of malignancies in soft tissue and/or bone is referred to as sarcoma. Sarcoma has around 70 recognized subgroups.

Sarcomas of the bones

Cancer that originates in the bone is known as primary bone sarcoma. People under the age of 35 are diagnosed with more than one-third of bone sarcomas. Children are diagnosed with several.

Primary bone sarcomas come in the following types:

·       Osteosarcoma(most prevalent)

·       Chondrosarcoma

·       Chordoma

·       Sarcoma Ewing's

·       Fibrosarcoma

Metastatic bone cancer, as opposed to primary bone cancer, begins elsewhere (such an organ) and spreads to the bone. This cancer can take many different forms and frequently spreads from your breast, prostate, kidney, lung, or thyroid.

When cancer from a distant organ spreads to your skeleton, it can lead to structural issues that can impair your ability to function and cause pain.

Sarcomas of soft tissues

 
Your body's muscles or other connective tissues are where soft tissue sarcomas start. The majority of soft tissue sarcomas occur in adults, in contrast to bone sarcomas. Rhabdomyosarcoma is one of the sarcoma forms that primarily affects children.

Soft tissue sarcomas come in the following types:

·       Angiosarcoma

·       Tumors of little spherical cells that are desmoplastic

·       Tumor of the gastrointestinal stroma (GIST)

·       Leiomyosarcoma

·       Liposarcoma

·       Malignant tumor of the peripheral nerve sheath

·       Schwannoma that is malignant

·       Sarcoma myxofibrosa

·       Rhabdomyosarcoma

·       Sarcoma of the synovium

·       Pleomorphic undifferentiated sarcoma

Signs and symptoms of sarcoma:

According to medical professionals, the location of the tumor determines the symptoms of sarcoma, and some may not exhibit any symptoms at all in the early stages. While some sarcomas don't hurt until they get big enough to push on an organ, others may feel like a lump beneath your skin. Nonetheless, a few signs could be:

·       A lump that may or may not hurt

·       Bone pain

·       Unexplained weight loss

·       Pain in an extremity

·       Trouble moving your arm and leg, or any limited range of motion

·       Stomach ache

What Causes Sarcoma?

Sarcomas form when immature bone or soft tissue cells undergo changes in their DNA, transforming into cancer cells that grow uncontrollably. In healthy cells, DNA acts like an instruction manual—telling cells when to grow, divide, and die. But in sarcoma cells, these instructions become corrupted. Instead of following a regulated cycle, the mutated DNA tells the cells to multiply rapidly and avoid natural cell death, leading to an accumulation of abnormal cells.

These rogue cells can form a mass known as a tumor, which may invade and destroy nearby healthy tissues. If left untreated, sarcoma cells can break away from the original site and travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other parts of the body—a process known as metastasis. Once sarcoma becomes metastatic, it becomes significantly more challenging to treat.

While researchers continue to investigate the root causes of these DNA changes, the exact trigger for sarcoma remains unknown. What is clear, however, is that early detection and timely treatment are crucial in managing this rare but aggressive form of cancer.

Diagnosing Sarcoma: Precision Tools for Early Detection

Diagnosis test begins with a thorough history and a physical examination of the patient. Which is further followed by advanced imaging and diagnostic procedures to provide precise characterisation and information of the condition. Mahajan Imaging & Labs is a trusted choice for these critical diagnostic tests due to its state-of-the-art technology, expert team, and patient-centric approach. Below is an overview of the diagnostic process for sarcoma and why Mahajan Imaging & Labs is the preferred diagnostic center for these services:

·       X-ray: X-rays take photos of your body's soft tissues and bones using tiny doses of radiation.

·       Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI produces sharp images of your internal organs using radio waves, big magnets, and a computer. If an X-ray reveals something abnormal, your doctor could prescribe an MRI to obtain more comprehensive images. Mahajan Imaging & Labs offers advanced 3T MRI technology for enhanced imaging precision.

·       Bone scan: To detect bone diseases like bone sarcoma, your doctor will inject a tiny quantity of radioactive material into your body.

·       Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan creates cross-sectional representations of your body by combining several X-ray images using computers. Mahajan Imaging & Labs provides 128/64/16-slice CT scans, including Dual Energy Spectral CT, for superior diagnostic accuracy.

·       Biopsy: Biopsy is an essential procedure where small tissue sample is removed from the tumor. A pathologist examines it under a microscope to confirm if it's sarcoma and identify its type. Mahajan Imaging & Labs employs CT-guided robotic biopsy techniques to ensure precision and minimize complications.

·       PET CT: This shows your body parts where glucose levels are traced higher, which may suggest a tumor. Mahajan Imaging & Labs is equipped with 128-Slice Digital PET-CT, setting a benchmark in precision oncology diagnostics.

Sarcomas are a rare form of cancer affecting soft tissues and bones. Early detection saves lives—schedule your diagnostic test with Mahajan Imaging & Labs today.