You may know about lung, mouth and breast cancer, but have you ever heard of sarcoma? If not, don't worry because we've shared everything you need to know about this rare, aggressive cancer.

Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that spreads quickly and is difficult to diagnose. There is a lack of awareness about sarcoma cancer compared to others like breast cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer and skin cancer. It is a cancerous tumor that develops in the connective tissue of bones. These tissues are generally responsible for supporting or connecting various cells or tissues in the body such as fat, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, bones and cartilage.

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Types of sarcoma

There are two types of sarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma and bone sarcoma:

• Soft tissue sarcoma: It often starts in places like fat (liposarcoma), muscle (leiomyosarcoma), nerve cells (neurosarcoma) and deep tissues of the skin (Kaposi's sarcoma). There are more than 40 to 50 subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma. It can appear anywhere on your body but is most common in areas like the arms, legs, and chest.
• Sarcoma of bone: Also known as osteosarcoma that occurs in bones. This happens when bone cells begin to grow and divide aggressively and uncontrollably. Children and young adults have a higher risk of developing bone sarcoma in long bones such as the arms or legs.

Symptoms and treatment

Sarcoma is difficult to detect in its early stages because it rarely causes noticeable symptoms. This can be harmful because by the time the cancer is detected, it may have already spread to other parts of the body. A person may experience abdominal pain that worsens over time, internal bleeding, bone swelling and stiffness, restricted movement, fever, abnormal lumps, fatigue, unintentional weight gain, and loss of appetite.

Dr. According to Amol Pawar, Radiation Oncologist, Onco Life Cancer Centre, Chiplun, “What makes sarcoma cancer dangerous and life-threatening is its ability to spread to other parts of your body sooner than you realize. Sarcoma-causing cells are more aggressive because they grow and divide rapidly. This rapid growth of cells encourages them to control other tissues in the body. Once it invades your blood vessels, it can easily travel through the lungs and liver and promote the formation of new tumors. Compared to other cancers, sarcoma cancer has a higher ability to metastasize, which means it can spread rapidly from its original location to different parts of the body.

If you've been diagnosed with sarcoma, consider that your treatment options and prognosis depend on many factors that your doctor can explain to you. Treatment options and possible outcomes are as varied as sarcoma.