S ARCOMA Diana Marroquin Period 1

W HAT IS SARCOMA ? A type of cancer that develops from certain tissues, like bone or muscle that can spread by extension into neighboring tissue. There are two main types of sarcoma: 1. Soft tissue sarcomas 2. Bone sarcomas Not all types of soft tissue tumors are cancerous, when a tumor is not cancerous it is called benign When the term sarcoma is part of the name it means the tumor is cancerous

S OFT TISSUE SARCOMAS Soft tissue sarcomas can develop from soft tissues like fat, muscle, nerves, blood vessels, deep skin tissues, or fibrous tissues STS can grow almost anywhere in the body 43% occur in the extremities 34% occur in and around the internal organs 10% occur in the trunk 13% occur in other locations

Radiation exposure Genetic syndromes Chemicals Damaged lymph system Injuries The cause of most cases are unknown however risk factors that increase one’s chances of developing STS are known Risk factors include: Causes

D IAGNOSIS If you have a new lump growing anywhere in your body, blood in your waste or vomit, or abdominal pain that is getting worse you should see a doctor right away Only a doctor can make a diagnosis because the lumps or masses that appear rarely cause pain or swelling and they could be signs of a different problem Procedures and tests that could be preformed to diagnose soft tissue sarcoma include: X-rays Ultrasound Computed tomography Magnetic resonance imaging Biopsies

T REATMENT Depending on the size, location, grade and extent of the tumor a combination of all or some of these treatments can be used: Radiation treatment Chemotherapy Targeted therapy Surgery Biological treatment

S TATISTICS One in approximately every 350 people in the United States will be diagnosed with a sarcoma at sometime in their life About 10,980 new soft tissue sarcomas will be diagnosed in the U.S. in ,920 Americans are expected to die of soft tissue sarcomas this year The percentage of people who survive at least five years after the cancer is detected, excluding those who die of other diseases, combining all stages and types of sarcoma, is approximately 50%