July Is Sarcoma Cancer Awareness Month

Did you know that sarcomas make up 1% of all cancers? While just a percentage may seem small, it is anything but. That still accounts for 12,000 people each year who develop sarcoma in the U.S. alone. Globally speaking, there are between 1.8 and 5 cases for every 100,000 people every year that receive this diagnosis. 

To bring attention to what is often referred to as the “forgotten cancer”, July was dubbed, Sarcoma Awareness Month. Keep reading to learn more about this rare form of cancer that is often forgotten but still affects thousands of people each year across the globe.

What is a Sarcoma?

Basically, sarcomas are a group of cancers that develop in the connective tissues of the body. Connective tissues are made up of proteins, including collagen, blood vessels, and a meshwork of fibrous proteins called fibroblasts, which help to support and organize tissues and organs. 

Connective tissues give structure to the body and help to regulate organ function. They are found throughout the body, but mainly in joints, muscles, bones, blood vessels, and the tissues that surround nerves. 

Unlike other types of cancers, sarcomas don’t form in the cells that make up organs or other tissues, but in the connective tissues themselves. While people of all ages can develop soft tissue sarcomas, the risk will often increase with age. At least 40% of soft tissue sarcomas are diagnosed in those that are 65 or older and while this is true, they can also develop in young people including children.

The Different Types of Sarcomas

There are over 50 different subtypes of sarcomas but the most common type of sarcoma, in general, is soft tissue sarcomas and it’s basically a smooth muscle tumor. There are, however, different types of sarcomas that can develop in your body. They include;

Bone sarcomas– These can occur in almost any bone in the body, but are most commonly seen in the arms, legs, and pelvis.

Myeloid sarcomas: This type arises from cells in the bone marrow that make blood. They most commonly develop in the spine, although they can occur in other bones as well.

Soft tissue sarcomas: This form of sarcoma will develop in the muscles, tendons, ligaments, or fibrous tissue that connects various organs or body parts, or in the fatty or fibrous tissue that surrounds nerves as we mentioned.

Synovial sarcomas: These develop in the tissue that fills the spaces between joints, such as the knee and shoulder.

While soft tissue sarcomas are the most common, there are different types of this form as well. Some of them will often include;

• Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor
• Angiosarcoma
• Liposarcoma
• Synovial Sarcoma

Risk Factors for Sarcoma Development

There are several risk factors that make an individual more susceptible to sarcoma development. They include

• Excessive UV exposure
• Genetics
• Abnormalities in your immune system
• Chemical Exposure
• Virus Exposure
• Lymphedema

Aside from risk factors associated with different forms of exposure you should also pay attention to other things that increase your risk such as old age. While we can’t stop a natural process such as aging, the best way to prevent sarcoma development is to avoid any exposure to risk factors when you can. You should also have screenings whenever needed if you have a known genetic link to it with sarcoma development being a part of your family history.

Symptoms of Sarcoma

The symptoms of sarcoma can often be vague, which can lead to a delayed diagnosis. Symptoms will often include;

• Abnormal or unexplained swelling in your body; often in a painful area
• A skin rash with spots or lesions that are red, purple, or brown in color
• Changes in your fingernails or toenails; different treatments can also cause this
• Bone pain and/or tenderness
• Pain or swelling in your joints
• Changes in your bowel habits
• Bloody or black tarry stools

There may also be other symptoms present such as a persistent cough, difficulty urinating and shortness of breath. Paying attention to your health is important because symptoms could also present as progressive weakness or numbness in your arms or legs, and even fatigue or unexplained weight loss. 

Keep in mind that tumors can go undetected for long periods of time…two years or longer in many cases and this is why routine screenings are important.

Wondering Where Sarcomas Generally Form?

Sarcomas can form in almost any type of soft tissue in the body, including tendons, muscle, fat, blood vessels, and nerve sheaths. A couple of common sarcomas include;

Liposarcoma; most commonly arises in the fat tissue under the skin.

Osteosarcoma (OS); this is the most common type of bone sarcoma and it occurs mainly in long bones in the arms and legs.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS); this is the most common soft tissue sarcoma and will occur in the muscle and, less often, in the tissue that makes up connective tissues. It can also occur in the uterus or even the bladder which are both hollow organs.

What Are the Different Treatment Options?

The treatments for sarcoma depend on the type and location of the tumor. Surgery is the main treatment for sarcoma. It may be used alone or with other treatments, depending on the type and location of the sarcoma. Radiation therapies may also be used if the tumor cannot be removed with surgery or if it has spread to other parts of the body. All of these treatments are aimed at killing or shrinking the tumor and preventing it from spreading.

Do Your Best to Spread Awareness

If you have ever heard the term sarcoma and wondered what it is, now you know a bit more about it and how many people it affects day to day. While rare, sarcoma cancer comes in multiple forms and it can affect both children and adults. The purpose of Sarcoma Awareness Month is to bring more light to what it is, who it affects, and the things that can cause it. The month is meant to educate and decrease unfamiliarity among both young and older people. If you want to help raise awareness this month, consider making a donation in support of this cause or consider coordinating your own fundraiser to get others involved.

You can also plan to participate in a Race to Cure Sarcoma event later in the year such as the race that will be held in Tampa in November 2022. Or, you can wear all yellow or just a yellow ribbon to represent awareness of bone cancer. No matter what you do to spread awareness, every person that actively participates to educate others, makes all the difference.