Awareness can help detect sarcoma early

New Delhi, August 1

There are about 250 types of cancers out of which only a few major ones are talked about. Out of the many we are not even aware of, is sarcoma cancer, a cancer of bone and soft tissues, says a medical expert.

Dr Manish Pruthi, Consultant-Musculoskeletal Oncology, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, said: "A sarcoma is a rare kind of cancer. Sarcomas are different from the much more common carcinomas because they happen in a different kind of tissue. Sarcomas grow in connective tissue -- cells that connect or support other kinds of tissue in your body. These tumours are most common in the bones, muscles, tendons, cartilage, nerves, and blood vessels of your arms and legs, but they can also happen in other areas of your body."

Though sarcoma accounts for 3 per cent of all cancers in adults and 10-15 per cent in the paediatric age group, the disease needs to be considered in right earnest to save life as well as limbs. There is a need to raise awareness as most cases get reported late.

"Usually the tumour goes unnoticed in limbs or an inappropriate surgery is done. This can lead to further damage and also pose a threat to lose the affected limb, which can have a significant impact on the life of young children and/or adults. We need to preserve the function of the affected limb and cure the cancer. — IANS