What is Soft tissue sarcoma?
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are soft tissue tumors that can be found in any part of the digestive system. They are most commonly located in the stomach and small intestine.
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GISTs start in nerve cells located in the wall of your digestive system. These cells are part of the autonomic nervous system. A change in the DNA of one of these cells which controls such digestive processes, like moving food through your intestines, gives rise to a GIST.
Some small GISTs may have no symptoms and they may grow slowly. People with larger GISTs usually experience vomiting or a blood clot when the tumor bleeds rapidly.
Medical terms
The word sarcoma comes from the Greek sarx meaning flesh or body tissue Sarcomas are cancerous tumors that originate in soft tissues such as muscles or fat While staging and treatment can vary depending on where the tumor is located it’s important to note that some sarcomas cannot be completely cured The most common types of this disease include alveolar soft part sarcoma fibrosarcoma and liposarcoma Treatment options for sarcomas may include surgery if feasible or radiation therapy There are clinical trials looking at new drugs and treatments for these cancers.
Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of cancers that affect connective supportive and fatty tissues The types of soft tissue sarcoma include liposarcoma (fat cells) leiomyosarcoma (muscle cells) and rhabdomyosarcoma (cells that make up skeletal muscle) They often appear in the arms or legs but can arise in any part of the body These cancers are rare with an average of 5,000 new cases diagnosed each year Treatment usually involves surgery to remove the tumor followed by radiation and/or chemotherapy to kill off remaining cancer cells Because they contain.
Other possible GIST symptoms include:
Anemia, caused by a slow-bleeding tumor
Abdominal pain
A growth you can feel in your abdomen
Nausea
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Having trouble swallowing.
GISTs can develop in any person, but they are most common between the ages of 50 and 70. They are almost never seen before age 40, due to an inherited genetic change (mutation).
Soft tissue malignant neoplastic disease could be a rare form of cancer that begins within the tissues that connect, support and surround alternative body structures. This includes muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves, tendons and also the lining of your joints.
More than fifty subtypes of sentimental tissue malignant neoplastic disease exist. Some sorts are an additional unit seemingly to have an effect on kids, whereas others have an effect on principally adults. These tumors are often troublesome to diagnose as a result of they'll be mistaken for several alternative styles of growth.
Soft tissue malignant neoplastic disease will occur anyplace in your body, however the foremost common sorts occur within the arms and legs, and within the abdomen. Surgical removal is the commonest treatment, though radiation and therapy additionally could also be suggested — reckoning on the scale, type, location and aggressiveness of the growth.
Types Soft tissue sarcoma
Angiosarcoma
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
Epithelioid sarcoma
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)
Kaposi's sarcoma
Leiomyosarcoma
Liposarcoma
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors
Myxofibrosarcoma
Rhabdomyosarcoma
Solitary fibrous tumor
Synovial sarcoma
Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma
Symptoms Soft tissue sarcoma
A soft tissue sarcoma may not cause any signs and symptoms in its early stages. As the tumor grows, it may cause:
A noticeable lump or swelling
Pain, if a tumor presses on nerves or muscles
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have:
A lump that is increasing in size or becomes painful
A lump of any size that's located deep within a muscle
Recurrence of a lump that's been removed
Causes Soft tissue sarcoma
In most cases, it is not clear what causes soft tissue malignant neoplastic disease.
In general, cancer happens once cells develop errors (mutations) in their DNA. The errors build cells grow and divide out of management. The accumulating abnormal cells kind a growth will|which will|that may} grow to invade close structures and also the abnormal cells can unfold to different elements of the body.
The sort of cell that develops the chromosomal mutation determines what type of soft tissue malignant neoplastic disease you've got. As an example, a malignant tumor begins within the lining of blood vessels, whereas sarcoma arises from fat cells. Some styles of soft tissue malignant neoplastic disease include:
Angiosarcoma
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
Epithelioid sarcoma
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)
Kaposi's sarcoma
Leiomyosarcoma
Liposarcoma
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor
Myxofibrosarcoma
Rhabdomyosarcoma
Solitary fibrous tumor
Synovial sarcoma
Undifferentiated (pleomorphic sarcoma)
Risk factors Soft tissue sarcoma
Factors that may increase your risk of sarcoma include:
Inherited syndromes. A risk of soppy tissue cancer is inheritable from your folks. Genetic syndromes that increase your risk embody hereditary malignant neoplasm, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, familial adenomatous polyposis, von Recklinghausen's disease, stalk pathology and Werner syndrome.
Chemical exposure. Being exposed to certain chemicals, such as herbicides, arsenic and dioxin, may increase the risk of soft tissue sarcomas.
Radiation exposure. Previous radiation treatment for other cancers can increase the risk of soft tissue sarcomas.
Is soft tissue sarcoma curable?
The good news is that most soft tissue sarcoma tumors do not have to be removed by surgery The doctor will use a needle to take a small sample of the tumor and test it in the lab If it's cancer they may prescribe radiation therapy or chemotherapy to shrink the tumor before surgery Surgery can also be an option if your doctor determines that removing the tumor makes you less likely to develop another.
How serious is soft tissue sarcoma?
Soft tissue sarcoma is a kind of cancer that starts in muscle fat or connective tissue About one in 10 new cancers are soft tissue sarcomas Doctors don't know what causes them and they can be hard to treat because they tend to grow deeper than other non-skin cancers like breast cancer Symptoms include: pain swelling or a mass.
How long can you live with soft tissue sarcoma?
Soft Tissue Sarcoma Treatments - On average people with soft tissue sarcomas can live for about 5 years after their cancer has been diagnosed Depending on the tumor's location and stage it could be anywhere from 2 to 10 years The prognosis (outlook) is affected by things like: •Size of the tumor •Where in your body it was found •Whether it is a type that has spread or is likely to spread (metastasis) •Your age and general health when you are first diagnosed •How well you respond to treatment If you have received treatment from doctors.
Is sarcoma a death sentence?
No sarcoma is not a death sentence These days with medical experts and technology at their disposal the survival rate of people who have been diagnosed with soft tissue sarcomas has improved dramatically Two out of three patients will live for five years; half will be in remission for more than ten years Even though these statistics are encouraging early diagnosis and treatment by a team of specialists is crucial.
Can you have sarcoma for years?
The sarcoma is a rare cancer that happens in soft tissue such as fat and muscle They are also called malignant soft tissue tumors Sarcomas grow quickly but they can be treated and cured if caught early enough With treatment sarcomas can be removed or controlled before spreading to other parts of the body In some cases surgery can cure the sarcoma without the need for more treatments (surgical cure).
How long can you have sarcoma without knowing?
Sarcoma is a type of cancer that starts in the bones muscles or cartilage of soft tissue People who have sarcoma do not always know that they have it because symptoms may be subtle at first Doctors generally recommend regular check-ups and screening tests for people who are at higher risk for developing this type of cancer.
What can be mistaken for sarcoma
Soft tissue sarcoma is a rare disease that can be difficult to identify at first A biopsy of the mass will confirm if it is cancerous but other tumors and infections can also cause similar symptoms If you're worried about soft tissue sarcoma or another tumor talk to your doctor right away Here are some common conditions that might be mistaken for soft tissue sarcoma.
Diagnosis Soft tissue sarcoma
It's important to determine the specific type of soft tissue sarcoma so that the best treatments can be chosen. There are many different types of soft tissue sarcoma, so it's important to know the nature of the tumor before choosing a treatment.
Imaging tests
Your doctor might use certain diagnostic procedures to assess your condition.
Biopsy
If you think you have a soft tissue sarcoma, it is often best to seek care at a medical center that sees many people with this type of cancer. Experienced doctors will likely use the best biopsy technique to ensure proper surgical treatment and planning. There are several possible techniques, including:
Core needle biopsy.Tumor material can be gathered by this method. Doctors typically collect several sections of the tumor with this method.
Surgical biopsy.If your doctor thinks a tumor is too large or located in a difficult to access place, he might recommend surgery to get a larger sample of tissue or to remove the tumor entirely.
A doctor who is trained to examine body tissues (a pathologist) looks at the tissue sample to determine if it is cancerous. The pathologist also determines the type of cancer and whether the cancer is aggressive.
Treatment Soft tissue sarcoma
There are different treatment options for soft tissue sarcoma depending on the size and location of the tumor.
Surgery
Cancer surgery is a common treatment for soft tissue sarcoma. Cancer is removed and some healthy tissue is removed around it in this procedure.
If soft tissue sarcoma affects the arms or legs, radiation and chemotherapy may be used to shrink the tumor so that it does not have to be amputated.
Radiation therapy
Cancer can be treated with radiation. There are many different types of radiation therapy that can be used to treat cancer.
Before surgery.Before surgery, radiation can help reduce the size of the tumor so that it is easier to remove.
During surgery.Intraoperative radiation allows for a higher dose of radiation to be delivered directly to the target area, sparing surrounding tissues.
After surgery.After surgery, radiation may help kill any remaining cancer cells.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses chemicals to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be taken in pill form or through a vein (intravenously). Some types of soft tissue sarcoma respond better to chemotherapy than others. For example, chemotherapy is often used to treat rhabdomyosarcoma.
Targeted drug treatment
Some types of soft tissue sarcomas have cells that are more susceptible to attack with targeted drugs. These medications work better than chemotherapy, and they are not as toxic. Targeted treatments have been particularly helpful in gastrointestinal stromal tumors. GISTs (gene ID tags) are small pieces of DNA that identify a particular gene.
Coping and support
When you receive news of your cancer diagnosis, it can be overwhelming. You may find it helpful to:
Be familiar with sarcoma so that you can make informed decisions about your care.Your doctor can help you learn more about your soft tissue sarcoma and its treatment options. You may feel more confident in making decisions based on what you know.
Keep friends and family close. Having strong relationships will help you cope with your soft tissue sarcoma. Friends and family can provide practical support, such as taking care of your house if you're in the hospital. They can also be supportive when you're feeling overwhelmed. Cancer is a disease that can occur in different parts of the body.
Find someone to talk with.Find someone who is willing to listen to you talk about your feelings. This person may be a friend or family member. A counselor, medical social worker, clergy member, or cancer support group may be able to provide helpful support.
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Preparing for your appointment
If your family doctor thinks you may have soft tissue sarcoma, you will likely be referred to a cancer doctor (oncologist) who is especially skilled in treating sarcomas. Soft tissue sarcoma is a rare type of cancer, and it is best treated by someone who has experience with it often at an academic or specialized cancer center.
What you can do
document any symptoms you're experiencing.Make sure to bring any materials that may seem unrelated to the appointment--for example, a pencil and paper if you came to get help with your homework.
Make a list of all medications,Products you're taking to improve your health.
Please bring someone with you when you go to pick the leaves.If you forget something during your appointment, someone who is with you may be able to remind you.
Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Planning ahead can help you make the most of your time with your doctor. Prioritize your questions from most important to least important in the event that time runs out. Some basic questions to ask your doctor about cancer may include:
Do I have cancer?
Can there be other reasons for my symptoms?
What kinds of tests will I need to confirm the diagnosis? Do these tests require any special preparation?
What type of sarcoma do I have?
What stage is it?
What treatments are available and which ones do you think would be best for me?
Can the cancer be removed?
What are some potential side effects of my treatment?
Can you think of any other ways to do this?
What health conditions do I have? How can I best manage them together?
What are any dietary or activity restrictions that I need to follow?
What's my prognosis?
Can I bring any brochures or printed material with me? What websites do you recommend visiting?
What if I need additional treatments, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy, either before or after my surgery?
Can the surgeon you're recommending perform this type of cancer operation?
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor may ask you a number of questions. Being prepared to answer them might make time to cover other points you want to discuss. Your doctor may ask:
When did you first start having symptoms?
Are you experiencing pain?
Do any of the things in this passage seem to help improve your symptoms?
What should I do if my symptoms get worse?
Are you at risk for cancer? If so, do you know the type?
General summary
Sarcoma is a group of rare cancerous tumors that connective or supportive tissue in your body such as muscle fat blood vessels and nerves Connective tissue cells help hold your body together Sarcomas are malignant (cancerous) tumors that develop from bone or soft tissue in the body They can occur at any age but are most common among middle-aged people Approximately 30% of cases occur in people younger than 20 years old and 10% of cases occur in persons older than 50 years old.