Sarcoma: Information and sarcoma specialists

27.11.2023
Leading Medicine Guide Editors
Author
Leading Medicine Guide Editors

Sarcomas are usually malignant tumours. They can occur in soft tissue as well as in bone. Depending on the size and location of the tumour, different treatment methods can be considered. Here you will find selected sarcoma specialists for the treatment of sarcomas as well as further information.

Selected sarcoma specialists

Brief overview:

  • What is a sarcoma? A very rare malignant tumour that can develop in soft tissue (such as connective tissue, fat and muscle tissue) as well as in bones (e.g. the "bone cancer“). There are 79 different soft tissue sarcomas alone.
  • Causes: It is not completely clear how the disease develops. Radiation therapy, but also exposure to asbestos and PVC are considered risk factors, but also pre-existing conditions such as neurofibromatosis. In bone sarcomas, genetic causes are likely.
  • Symptoms: Local, partly painless swellings, pain, functional restrictions due to tumour growth, possibly weight loss.
  • Diagnosis: Only a biopsy and examination of the tissue sample can provide reliable information.
  • Treatment: The earlier treatment begins, the better the prognosis. Accurate diagnosis is critical for treatment. Surgery is not always possible, which is why radiotherapy and chemotherapy as well as hyperthermia are often used as treatment methods.
  • Prognosis: Various factors influence the prognosis, such as whether the sarcoma has been completely removed or has already metastasised.

Article overview

What is a sarcoma?

A sarcoma is a rare, usually malignant growth that often develops in soft tissue. The chances of recovery are better the earlier a sarcoma is detected and treated.

Bone tumours occur in about 0.1 percent of adults, soft tissue sarcomas affect about one percent.

In total, there are 79 different types of soft tissue sarcomas. Just over 60 of them are considered malignant and are thus capable of forming metastases. This means they can spread in the body and damage other organs. 

However, there are also sarcomas that only grow locally. These are known as intermediate sarcoma.

Types of soft tissue sarcoma include:

  • Connective tissue
  • Fatty tissue
  • Synovial tissue
  • Smooth and striated muscle tissue

Different types of bone sarcoma include:

  • Osteosarcoma, colloquially "bone cancer"
  • Chrondrosarcoma
  • Ewing's sarcoma

How does a sarcoma develop?

The actual development of sarcomas has not been conclusively clarified. However, there seem to be various risk factors that can at least favour them:

In the case of bone sarcomas, on the other hand, genetic causes can favour their development.

Darstellung eines Chrondrosarkoms
Illustration of a chondrosarcoma forming on the femur © rumruay | AdobeStock

How is a sarcoma diagnosed and what symptoms can occur?

Many sarcomas initially show up as a swelling that does not cause any pain. However, if left untreated, pain or functional limitations of the affected body part may occur at a later stage.

If the tumour has already existed for a very long time, weight loss may also be the result.

If a sarcoma is suspected, imaging procedures such as an MRI can provide information.

To ensure that a sarcoma can be recognised as such without any doubt, the doctors perform a biopsy. In this procedure, tissue is removed from the patient and then examined. This diagnosis applies to all forms of the tumour.

In the further progression, additional examinations are required that provide information about possible metastases. Sarcomas usually spread through the bloodstream. So they can also be found in other organs, such as the lungs, causing metastases.

How is a sarcoma treated?

Treatment of a sarcoma depends, among other things, on its stage at diagnosis.

In addition, the assessment of the tumour also plays a major role. Here, sarcomas are differentiated from each other in terms of their characteristics. If, for example, the cells of the tumour and the tissue are very similar, then these are differentiated tumour cells. Undifferentiated tumour cells are usually so degenerated that their origin can no longer be determined.

Basically, there are several treatment options for sarcomas. For example, if it is a differentiated sarcoma of moderate size, then surgical removal may be sufficient.

If complete removal is not possible, or if the tumour cells are undifferentiated, post-operative radiotherapy is indicated.

In the case of soft tissue sarcomas, it may also be possible to do chemotherapy. In inoperable sarcomas, this can reduce the growth to such an extent that surgery is in fact possible. Chemotherapy may be combined with radiotherapy.

Another method, whose effect has not been proven, is hyperthermia. Here, the tumour is treated with large amounts of heat radiation.

With bone sarcomas, on the other hand, chemotherapy is usually always used, both before and after surgery.

Chances of a cure for sarcoma

It is not possible to give a definite answer to the question about the chances of a cure for sarcoma. The prognosis depends on several factors, including:

  • Could the sarcoma be completely removed?
  • Has the sarcoma metastasised?

Regular check-ups after treatment are also important for the prognosis. Controls are carried out very frequently at the beginning. This allows the doctors to react quickly in the event of a relapse (recurrence) or new metastases.

As part of the aftercare, it is checked whether other organs may have been damaged.

One can only speak of a cure if the patient remains without new findings over a period of five years. However, this is also no guarantee that problems will not occur again at a later date.

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