- Sarcoma is an aggressive but less recognised cancer affecting connective tissues like nerves, bones, and fat cells, with around 5,300 diagnoses annually in the UK.
- Public awareness of sarcoma remains low due to its relative rarity and less descriptive name compared to more common cancers.
- Key symptoms include a growing or changing lump for soft tissue sarcomas, persistent bone pain for bone sarcomas, and subtle signs like bloating or internal bleeding for GISTs.
- Diagnosis typically involves imaging such as ultrasound, X-ray, and MRI, followed by a crucial biopsy to determine the specific subtype for effective treatment planning.
- The primary treatment for sarcoma is surgery to remove the tumor, often combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, with early diagnosis significantly improving patient outcomes.
IN FULL
The truth about the aggressive type of cancer you’ve probably not heard of
