Soft Tissue Cancers (Sarcomas) Treatment in Utah
Soft tissue sarcomas are group of cancers that typically develop in the soft tissues surrounding, connecting or supporting the body’s structures and organs. These tissues includes muscles, joints, tendons, fat, blood vessels, nerves and tissues.
Symptoms of Sarcoma:
Signs of sarcoma vary from person to person. Many times sarcoma does not have symptoms in the early stages. Only about half of soft-tissue sarcomas are found in the early stages before they spread.
The location of the sarcoma makes a difference in the symptoms. For instance if they start:
- On the arms or legs, you may notice a lump that grows over a period of weeks to months. It may hurt, but it usually doesn’t.
- In the retroperitoneum (the back wall inside the abdomen), they may cause problems that have symptoms, such as pain. Tumors may cause blockage or bleeding of the stomach or bowels. They may grow large enough for the tumor to be felt in the abdomen.
If you have any of the following problems, talk to your doctor:
- A new lump or a lump that is growing anywhere on your body
- Abdominal pain that is getting worse
- Blood in your stool or vomit
- Black, tarry stools (this may mean there is internal bleeding)
These symptoms do not always mean you have sarcoma. However, it is important to discuss any symptoms with your doctor, since they may also signal other health problems.
Sarcoma Treatment Options:
Your treatment for sarcoma will be customized to your particular needs and may include one or more of the treatment types listed below.
- Surgery is the main treatment for soft-tissue sarcomas.
- Chemotherapy works by killing fast-growing cells, including cancer cells.
- Radiation therapy uses focused, high-energy photon beams to destroy cancer cells.
- Proton therapy delivers high radiation doses directly to the liver cancer tumor site, with no damage to nearby healthy tissue.
- Targeted therapy works by stopping or slowing the growth or spread of cancer.