Sarcoma is the name given to a rare malignant tumor disease that can affect any part of the body. Therefore, it is a major medical challenge to detect and treat the disease. Patients not infrequently have a long journey through a wide variety of health care stations before the correct diagnosis is made. The following applies: the earlier a sarcoma is detected, the better the chances of recovery.
What is sarcoma?
A sarcoma is a compound of several degenerate body cells that multiply more than healthy cells. The rapid cell growth of the tumor cells causes the affected tissue or organ to malfunction. As a malignant tumor, the sarcoma often detaches from its site of origin and colonizes surrounding tissue (infiltration) or travels through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to more distant body tissues, resulting in the formation of metastases. Sarcomas can be divided into two main groups: Soft tissue sarcomas and bone sarcomas. In soft tissue sarcomas, physicians distinguish more than 150 different types of tumors that form in connective tissue, fatty tissue or muscle. The disease most frequently occurs in adults between the ages of 45 and 55. Bone sarcomas, which can form in bone as well as in bone marrow, cartilage or joints, are more likely to affect young people between the ages of 10 and 30.
Causes
It is largely unclear what factors contribute to the development of sarcomas. Contact with industrial toxins was considered a possible cause until a few years ago, but statistical proof has not yet been provided. Rarely, sarcomas form after radiation therapy in the irradiated body regions. In connection with certain diseases such as neurofibromatosis, retinoblastoma or Fraumeni syndrome, the development of soft tissue sarcomas can be frequently observed. Congenital genetic defects can also favor the development of various tumors. However, all these factors are causative for the development of only a very small proportion of sarcomas. Almost all sarcomas occur spontaneously, without a specific trigger that can be named.
Typical and common sarcomas
- Ewing sarcoma
- Kaposi’s sarcoma
- Osteosarcoma
- Chondrosarcoma
- Fibrosarcoma
- Liposarcoma
- Angiosarcoma
- Leiomyosarcoma
- Rhabdomyosarcoma
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Symptoms vary depending on the type of sarcoma. For example, soft tissue sarcomas are often painless at the beginning. As the disease progresses, pain may occur as the tumor grows in size. Functional limitations of the affected structures are also possible. Osteosarcoma, the sarcoma of bone, also becomes noticeable quite late. The first symptoms include local swelling with pain. Just as with soft tissue sarcoma, functional limitations of the joints or other surrounding structures can occur with osteosarcoma due to displacement. Localized pain, swelling as well as hyperthermia are leading symptoms of Ewing’s sarcoma, a malignant tumor of childhood and adolescence. Depending on its size, the sarcoma can displace other structures of the body, leading to functional limitations or loss of function. As with most cancers, sarcoma can result in what is known as B-symptomatology. Those affected suffer from unexplained fever and night sweats. The severity of these symptoms can vary greatly. For example, some patients experience only a light film of sweat, while others completely soak the bed linen with their sweat. Furthermore, people with sarcoma often unintentionally lose more than ten percent of their body weight within six months.
Diagnosis and progression
An initially painless swelling that often grows over weeks and months may be the first sign of sarcoma. If the tumor spreads further, stretching important nerves, the affected person often experiences pain. Furthermore, the functioning of normal tissue is usually impaired. To diagnose a possible tumor, the oncologist first uses imaging techniques such as X-rays, computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.In addition, a blood test can provide information about the presence of a sarcoma, since some blood values indirectly indicate its existence. To finally confirm the diagnosis, a sample of the tumor is often taken and examined microscopically. Since the removal may cause tumor cells to spread to surrounding tissues and thus spread to the body, surgery must be performed as soon as possible if the findings are positive.
Complications
Sarcoma can cause several complications. If the tumor spreads within the tissue, it can cause tissue damage and nerve interference. As the disease progresses, the sarcoma may spread and spread to other areas of the body and internal organs – resulting in multifaceted symptoms and permanent tissue and organ damage. This is accompanied by the development of chronic pain, which can lead to psychological problems if the disease persists for a longer period of time. For example, many sufferers experience anxiety disorders and depression, which often persist for a long time after treatment. Before the operation, there is a risk that the wrong biopsy access is made. Accompanying hematomas and infections can develop. Vascular injuries and bleeding are conceivable during and after surgery. In addition, the skin at the site of the procedure may scar or there may be wound healing problems and inflammation. Finally, the prescribed medication can also cause discomfort. Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are usually used, which occasionally cause headaches, muscle and bone pain, gastrointestinal problems and skin irritations. If the patient suffers from a pre-existing condition, severe cardiovascular complications may develop.
When should you see a doctor?
Treatment by a physician should always be sought for sarcoma. As a rule, it cannot heal on its own, and without medical treatment, in the worst case scenario, the affected person may die. In any case, further spread of the tumor must be prevented. A doctor should be consulted if the affected person suffers from very severe swelling. This swelling can appear in various parts of the body and is usually relatively easy to see with the eye. Often, night sweats also indicate sarcoma and should be examined by a physician. Furthermore, fever or severe weight loss of the affected person may also occur. Sarcoma can be diagnosed primarily by a general practitioner. However, further treatment requires a specialist who can remove the sarcoma. It cannot be universally predicted whether a positive course of the disease will occur. Possibly, the disease also reduces the life expectancy of the affected person.
Treatment and therapy
The treatment of sarcoma depends critically on the spread of the disease after the diagnosis is made. For small, localized tumors, surgery is the first choice. The goal here is to completely remove the malignant tissue. For this purpose, part of the healthy tissue adjacent to the sarcoma is also removed, since migrated tumor cells can hide there, which promote the formation of metastases. In the case of large tumors, an attempt is first made to reduce the size by chemotherapy before surgical removal. If metastases have already formed, chemotherapy, which can be administered via tablets, infusion or injection, is the first treatment step. If this therapy remains ineffective, radiation can help destroy the tumor tissue. Recent studies show that the administration of drugs that lead to a blockade of the metabolic pathways in the tumor cell can have a positive effect on the success of treatment. Since every patient reacts differently to new substances and drugs for chemotherapy, the creation of an individual therapy plan is an absolute must.
Prevention
The development of sarcomas is not influenced by the behavior of the affected person, which is why there are no measures for prevention. A healthy lifestyle, which includes both a balanced diet and adequate exercise, as well as observing preventive examinations, is a crucial step in maintaining health. If a disease is already present, a balanced social environment that supports the affected person has a positive influence on recovery.
Aftercare
Following medical treatment of sarcoma, aftercare begins. Its main goals include the timely detection and treatment of a recurrence, i.e., a recurrence of the tumor. In addition, aftercare deals with undesirable sequelae or side effects of the cancer treatment and helps the patient to return to his or her daily routine. If the sarcoma is successfully removed surgically, regular follow-up examinations must take place afterwards. This also applies if a complete cure can no longer be achieved, so that the treatment can be monitored. The follow-up examinations are carried out either by an oncologist or a special tumor center. How often the follow-up examinations have to take place depends on the course of the disease as well as the individual state of health of the patient. As a rule, they are initially performed at intervals of three months. In this way, it is possible to take early action against possible new tumor formations or after-effects of the treatment. In addition, the physician checks whether metastases (daughter tumors) have formed. However, there are as yet no laboratory values, such as blood tests, that could provide indications of a new sarcoma. If amputations had to be performed as part of the treatment, the physician monitors the progress of the rehabilitation measures. Experts recommend close follow-up for up to five years. The patient should insist on these check-ups if only out of self-interest.
What you can do yourself
Patients with sarcoma face very special circumstances and situations. They are confronted with the fact that their lives are ending prematurely. In the field of self-help, there are hardly enough options to achieve recovery. Nevertheless, the sufferer should take various measures to improve his situation in dealing with the disease as well as its side effects. With a positive attitude towards himself and life, the patient can have a significant influence on the course of the disease. Studies have shown that therapeutic approaches have a better effect if the patient works together with the doctor and believes in an improvement of his situation. A healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet as well as mental techniques help to achieve a strengthening of the immune system and mental power. In addition, alternative healing methods can have a positive influence on the further development. It is important to promote the joy of life and to make decisions of treatment, of which the affected person is convinced. The organization of leisure time should be geared to the patient’s physical needs and possibilities. Open discussions about the situation and the development of health help to cope with the disease. The patient and his or her relatives should be honest with each other as well as clarify any questions with each other.
