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Sarcoma Cancer

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Sarcoma cancers are relatively rare. If you're diagnosed with one, you've probably got lots of questions and concerns. That's where we come in.

What Is Sarcoma Cancer?

A sarcoma is a cancerous tumor that begins in various tissues of the body. Most are soft tissue sarcomas, meaning they occur in fat, muscle, nerves, tendons, blood vessels or deep skin tissues. But sarcomas can begin in bones, too.

Some soft tissue tumors are benign, meaning they aren't cancerous. They can't spread to other parts of the body like sarcoma cancer. Only an expert medical team can tell the difference between benign tumors and cancerous ones.

Sarcoma cancers are rare. According to the American Cancer Society, U.S. doctors diagnose less than 14,000 soft tissue sarcomas each year. Most sarcomas happen in the feet, legs and arms, although they can occur elsewhere in the body too.

Some types of sarcomas we treat at the Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute are:

  • Chondrosarcoma, found in cartilage.
  • Ewing sarcoma, which usually occurs in children and young adults in and around the bones.
  • Fibrosarcoma, which starts in fibrous tissue in legs, arms or trunk.
  • Kaposi sarcoma, which starts in the cells lining lymph or blood vessels.
  • Leiomyosarcoma, which starts in smooth muscle tissue, often in the abdomen.
  • Liposarcoma, which are tumors in fat tissue.
  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma, which are usually found in muscles and tendons.
  • Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer seen most often in children and young adults.
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma, which is a soft tissue sarcoma seen in children.

Why Choose Luminis Health for Sarcoma Cancer Care?

When you're dealing with a rare disease, you need experts who are on the forefront of medical technology. We are with you the whole way on your cancer journey, from diagnosis to treatment to survivorship. Our special offerings include:

You're more likely to develop sarcoma cancer if a family member had it. Our genetic counselors can meet with you to provide education, support and medical management.

The medical world can be a confusing place. Our nurse navigators are cancer specialists who advocate for you and help you make sense of complex care plans.

Cancer is a major life event. If you or a loved one has cancer, we're here to help you every step of the way. We offer many different services and resources designed to fit your needs and give you a better, more comfortable experience.

Sarcoma Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Symptoms of sarcoma cancer vary. They may include bone fractures, changes in vision, fatigue, fever, lumps or swelling, pain in the abdomen or pelvis, and unexplained weight loss. Only specific testing reveals whether you have sarcoma cancer.

Signs and symptoms

We're all unique, and that includes the way our bodies may handle or show signs and symptoms of cancer. Sarcoma cancer symptoms may include:

  • Bone fractures.
  • Changes in vision.
  • Fatigue.
  • Fever.
  • Lesions on skin.
  • Lumps or swelling.
  • Nausea and/or vomiting.
  • Pain (abdomen, ears, eyes, pelvis).
  • Unintended weight loss.

Diagnosis and tests

Your doctor does a physical exam and orders tests if they suspect you have sarcoma cancer. These tests include:

  • Biopsy.
  • Blood tests.
  • Endoscopic tests and other scopes.
  • Imaging tests, like x-rays, CT or PET scans or MRIs.

Treatments

We're at the forefront of cancer care. We offer minimally invasive surgery and new advances in chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

You're treated by a team of cancer surgeons, radiation oncologists and medical oncologists. Together, we develop a treat plan that may include:

  • Surgery. Surgeons try to remove the tumor along with some of the normal tissue around it, to make sure to leave behind no cancer. You may need chemotherapy or radiation before or after the operation.
  • Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells. This treatment is usually given by infusion or injection, but in some cases it's taken as a pill or rubbed on your skin. We use chemotherapy to cure cancer, prolong life or reduce symptoms.
  • External-beam radiation therapy. This is the type of radiation most often used to treat sarcomas. It focuses on the tumor and doesn't damage healthy tissue.
  • Targeted therapy. Target drugs focus on how cancer cells grow, divide and spread. For the most part, targeted therapy medications don't affect healthy cells.
  • Care for your symptoms and side effects of treatment. Most cancer treatments have side effects, so we work hard to ease any discomfort you may experience.

Everyone works together to create an individualized treatment plan made especially for you.

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Luminis Health Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders Annapolis
2003 Medical Pkwy, Wayson Pavilion, Ste 210, Annapolis, MD 21401
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