When the word cancer comes to your mind, you might think of common cancers, such as breast cancer, lung cancer or colon cancer. These frequently occurring cancers touch many people's lives, and there's a chance that you know somebody who has been diagnosed with one.;
What you may not be as familiar with, however, are sarcomas.
This July, brush up on your sarcoma knowledge for National Sarcoma Awareness Month so you can know the signs, symptoms, and support available.
There Are Many Different Types of Sarcomas
There are many different kinds of sarcomas. Because they are cancers that can be found in bone or soft tissue, they can show up just about anywhere in the body.
The two main categories of sarcomas are soft-tissue sarcomas and bone sarcomas, but there are many different sub-types based on where in the body the cancer or tumor starts.
At Chester County Hospital, treatment is available for a range of different sarcomas, including:
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Bone Sarcoma: Also called bone cancer, bone sarcomas begin in the bones and often impact children and young adults.
- Ewing Sarcoma: Often found in the arms, legs, spine, skull, chest, or pelvis, Ewing tumors can be found in the bones or soft tissue and are commonly diagnosed under the age of 25.
- Osteosarcoma: Developing in the bones, bone marrow, cartilage and fibrous tissue, osteosarcoma is typically found in children/young adults ages 10 to 30.
- Rhabdomyosarcoma: Typically found in skeletal muscles (which are muscles attached to bones by tendons), Rhabdomyosarcoma often affects children, but can develop in adults as well.
- Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Forming in connective tissue, soft-tissue sarcomas are more often diagnosed in adults.
Know the Symptoms of Sarcomas
Sarcomas can be especially difficult to detect and diagnose, as they are often happening deep in the body or limbs. While the symptoms may not be as obvious or well-known as other types of cancer, sarcomas often present themselves in the following ways.
Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Symptoms
Talk to your doctor if you:
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Notice a lump anywhere on your body that is new or getting bigger
- Have pain in your abdomen that has been getting worse
- Find blood in your vomit or stool — or if your stool is sticky or black in color
In the early stages of soft-tissue sarcoma, they may not present in a way that seems out of the ordinary. Often, it may just be a bump or lump that isn't necessarily painful. Speak with your doctor if you notice any changes in your body.
Bone Sarcoma Symptoms
Talk to your doctor if you:
- Are experiencing pain which may become more severe or frequent — like when a certain limb is used or at night
- Notice any swelling or lumps which may accompany any existing pain
- Have numbness, tingling, or weakness in a specific part of your body
- Experience a bone fracture — often accompanied by extreme pain
"While symptoms of sarcomas might actually be caused by something other than sarcoma, it’s always a good idea to tell your provider about these kinds of symptoms," says Michael Costello, MD, Medical Director at Chester County Hospital. "Your Chester County Hospital provider can help you understand what is causing your symptoms or rule out a particular diagnosis."
What Causes Sarcomas?
While experts aren't 100% sure what causes sarcomas, research into possible risk factors shows a potential increased risk as a result of the following:
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Genetics, including individuals with:
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome
- von Recklinghausen's disease (neurofibromatosis)
- Paget's disease
- Hereditary retinoblastoma
- Exposure to chemicals, such as:
- Phenoxyacetic acid found in herbicides
- Chlorophenols found in wood preservatives
- Vinyl chloride found in the production of certain plastics
Over time, our understanding of sarcomas will continue to deepen, and research will continue to explain this rare form of cancer.
The Sarcoma Program at The Abramson Cancer Center
Compared to other cancers, sarcomas are especially rare, and there aren't many research programs dedicated to them. But through Chester County Hospital's partnership with Penn Medicine, there is a center devoted to sarcoma research and treatment right in your local PA community.
The Sarcoma Program at Penn Medicine's Abramson Cancer Center is made up of a team of leading experts, researchers, and oncologists whose work is to understand and treat bone and soft-tissue sarcomas. Through advanced technology, testing, and treatment, the Sarcoma Program is leading the way in sarcoma support.
At the Abramson Cancer Center, you and your family will develop a treatment plan with many different experts in a range of specialties. Our team approach ensures that you receive support that addresses your unique needs and produces meaningful outcomes.
Together, Chester County Hospital and Penn Medicine are diagnosing sarcomas today, while paving the way to better understand them in the future.
Do You Have Questions About Sarcomas or Other Cancers?
To make an appointment, call 800-789-7366 or make an appointment online.