Sarcoma awareness: what you need to know this July

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- July marks National Sarcoma Awareness Month, a crucial time to spotlight a rare but serious group of cancers that can form in the bones and soft tissues throughout the body.

According to the National Cancer Institute, about 17,000 people are diagnosed with sarcoma each year across the country. At UVA Health, Dr. Max Hoggard, an Orthopedic Oncologist, noted that the Cancer Center treats several hundred of these complex cases annually.

"We have basically a dedicated sarcoma team that specializes in taking care of these patients that have this condition," Dr. Hoggard said.

Dr. Hoggard explained that sarcoma isn't a single disease, but rather a diverse group of over 70 different types of cancers. These tumors primarily arise from either the bones or the body's soft tissues, which include muscles, fat, nerves and blood vessels. They are most commonly found in the extremities, such as the arms and legs.

The age group affected often differs based on the tumor's origin:

• Bone sarcomas generally tend to affect younger patients, often children and adolescents.
• Soft tissue sarcomas, which don't directly involve the bone, are more commonly seen in older patients.

While sarcoma is rare overall, it represents a significant portion of childhood cancers, making up about 15% of all cancers in children, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Most sarcoma cases appear sporadically, without clear hereditary or environmental links. However, Dr. Hoggard pointed to one identifiable risk factor.

"Previous radiation treatment for another type of cancer, you know, the radiation itself can predispose you potentially to developing a sarcoma secondary to that," Dr. Hoggard said.

Dr. Hoggard stressed the main signs you should watch for:

• A growing mass or lump in the extremities (arms or legs), or even in the pelvis area.
• New bone pain or a fracture that isn't explained by any sort of injury or trauma.

"It's important to note that these lumps or areas of pain do not necessarily have to be painful. A lot of times these things don't cause pain," Dr. Hoggard said.

For more information on diagnosis and treatment, click here.