Sarcoma
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Sarcoma is cancer of the bones and soft tissue.
Bone cancer may be a tumor that forms in a bone, or it may be a tumor from another part of the body that spreads to a bone. Some bone cancers, including osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma is more common in children and young adults.
Soft tissue cancer causes tumors in muscles, tendons, or the fat underneath the skin. They can occur anywhere in the body but are most common in the arms, legs, chest and abdomen.
Causes of sarcoma
The cause of sarcoma and the reasons people get it are unknown. Research shows that some cancer syndromes that are inherited from family may increase sarcoma risk.
Radiation therapy given to treat other cancers, like breast cancer or lymphoma, can increase the risk of sarcoma. These sarcomas often start in the part of the body that was treated with radiation.
Signs and symptoms of sarcoma
Sarcoma symptoms can vary depending on the location and type of sarcoma. A lump is often the earliest symptom of sarcoma. Some people who have had sarcoma in their arm or leg say they thought it was an injury, like a pulled or swollen muscle that was taking a long time to heal.
Some kinds of soft-tissue sarcoma may cause tumors to grow where they can’t be seen, such as in the abdomen. Those tumors usually don’t get noticed until they grow and press against an organ, nerve, or blood vessel.
Other signs and symptoms of sarcoma include:
- Bone pain
- A broken bone with no clear cause or injury
- Belly pain
- Weight loss
Having these symptoms doesn’t mean you have sarcoma, but you should still discuss these symptoms with your doctor.
How sarcoma is diagnosed
If you have any symptoms of sarcoma, your provider will begin by performing a physical examination.
If additional testing is needed, they may recommend one or more of the following:
- X-ray. Your provider is more likely to use X-rays if the sarcoma appears to be in a bone. This text allows your provider to take a picture of the inside of the bone, which can make it easier to tell how large the mass is and if it is a cancerous tumor.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These scans can help your provider see the exact size and position of your tumor. Your provider can also use this to determine if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
- Computed tomography (CT). These scans can help your provider see the exact size and position of your tumor. This is a good alternative for those who can’t undergo an MRI.
- Biopsy. This test involves taking a sample of your tumor and viewing it under a microscope to see if any cancer cells are present.
Every cancer diagnosis is unique.
That’s why getting a second opinion matters. Our cancer experts can confirm your diagnosis and help you understand all your treatment options.
Multidisciplinary care from leading sarcoma experts
Sarcoma care requires a level of expertise and teamwork that few health systems can offer. Because sarcoma is so rare, and because there are so many types of sarcoma, few oncologists are specially trained to diagnose and treat it.
At University of Iowa Health Care Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, every patient is treated by a team of sarcoma specialists. They understand every aspect of the disease, and they know about the most recent treatment options — from chemotherapy to radiation therapy to surgery.
A recent study by University of Iowa researchers found that survival rates are higher for sarcoma patients who are treated at large hospitals with dedicated sarcoma specialists on staff, such as UI Health Care.
Sarcoma treatments
Treatments for sarcoma depend on the type of sarcoma, its location in the body and whether or it is has spread. Many sarcomas can be treated with surgery. A surgeon who is specially trained in cancer surgeries removes the tumor and some of the healthy bone or tissue that surrounds the tumor. This prevents the sarcoma from spreading.
Not long ago, bone cancer surgery often required amputation of a limb. Today, bone cancer surgeons save the limb about 95 percent of the time, sometimes using prosthetics that are custom made for the patient.
If the cancer has grown and spread to other parts of the body, treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or CAR T-cell therapy may also be used.
We also offer clinical trials, which are research studies that give you the opportunity to receive the most recent, advanced treatment options, such as drugs that are not yet on the market and other promising treatments that could increase your chances for recovery and improve your quality of life. Holden researchers also are actively involved in cutting-edge studies that are testing new ways to treat sarcoma.