Sarcomas are a rare group of cancerous diseases that develop in soft tissues such as muscles, fatty tissue, connective tissue, nerves, and bones. They account for less than 1% of all tumors in adults. Although this is a very diverse group of diagnoses, they share a similar approach to treatment.
The most common soft tissue sarcomas in adults include liposarcoma, synovial sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, and tumors originating in nerve tissue. Less common are bone sarcomas such as osteosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, and chondrosarcoma.
Sarcomas can affect both children and adults. In adults, they usually appear in middle and old age, but some types also affect younger patients.
Tumors tend to remain hidden for a long time. They manifest themselves, for example, as a gradually enlarging lump, pain, or limited movement in the affected area. It is therefore important to have any suspicious changes examined as soon as possible.
The treatment of sarcomas is usually combined and may include:
The aim is to remove the tumor as effectively as possible while preserving the function of the affected part of the body, such as a limb.
Radiotherapy can be part of treatment before surgery to shrink the tumor, after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence, or as the main treatment when surgery is not possible.
Sarcomas can be located near important structures such as nerves, blood vessels, intestines, kidneys, or pelvic organs. It is in such situations that gentle and precise radiation plays a role.
Proton therapy is often considered for sarcomas in difficult locations, such as the retroperitoneum (the area behind the abdomen), pelvis, head, and neck, and for tumors near the spine and nerve structures.
