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What is it?
Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that starts in the body’s connective tissues, such as muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves, tendons, or bone. It can occur anywhere in the body but is most often found in the arms, legs, chest, or abdomen. There are many subtypes, including soft tissue sarcomas and bone sarcomas.
Sarcoma Q&A
Signs & Symptoms
Sarcoma can cause:
- A lump or swelling that keeps growing
- Pain or soreness in the area, sometimes worse at night
- Trouble moving a joint if the tumor is near it
- Swelling in the abdomen or a feeling of fullness if the tumor is deep inside
- In later stages, weight loss or fatigue
Diagnosis
At Sonoran Surgical, Dr. Sahai diagnoses sarcoma with:
- Medical history and physical exam, checking for growths that are large, deep, or rapidly enlarging
- Imaging tests such as MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound to see the tumor and surrounding tissues
- Biopsy to take a sample of the lump for lab testing, which confirms whether it is cancerous and what type of sarcoma it is
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type, size, and location of the sarcoma:
- Surgery is usually the main treatment, aiming to remove the tumor completely
- Radiation therapy may be used before or after surgery to lower the risk of recurrence
- Chemotherapy may be recommended for certain aggressive types of sarcoma or if the cancer has spread
- Targeted therapies and immunotherapies are newer options for some sarcoma subtypes
If you notice a lump that is growing, painful, or deep in the body, contact Sonoran Surgical to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Rohit Sahai. Early diagnosis and treatment are important for the best outcome.