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Get A QuoteSarcomas can arise almost anywhere in the body and are cancers of connective tissue; connective tissue may include soft tissues such as muscle, fat, blood vessels, synovial tissues (around joints), and connective tissue (collagen) involved in bone. Sarcomas are generally classified into various types, with approximately 70 distinct types. The treatment plan for sarcoma is influenced by its location in the body, its histological subtype, and other clearly defined clinical factors. The symptoms of sarcoma can vary from one location to another and may even include anatomic structures that contribute to the sarcoma.
Sarcomas, like most cancers, are idiopathic; however, they are believed to arise from genetic predispositional factors and structural changes (changes to DNA). Sarcomas can also occur for other reasons. Some risk factors are known to increase the likelihood of sarcoma occurring in the body. For example, the medical approach to diagnosing sarcoma involves considering it as a specific diagnosis, allowing for a tailored treatment approach for each patient. This is because the symptom presentation of each patient will differ based on the particular type of sarcoma involved.
The chance of surviving sarcoma depends on how bad the disease was at the time of diagnosis. However, most sarcomas have treatments that can include a combination of treatment which will have better chances of recovery and complete eradication of the disease.
The cost of sarcoma treatment in India can range from USD 3,000 to USD 12,000. The cost of the treatment may also vary depending on the type of treatment used for each patient. The cost of treatment may also vary depending on the type of sarcoma cancer involved.
What Is Sarcoma?
Sarcoma is a malignant (cancerous) tumour that occurs in bone and/or soft tissue. Soft tissues hold other parts of the body together and include:
Because sarcomas are uncommon, they only make up approximately 1% of adult cancers and about 15% of childhood cancer diagnoses. Each year in the United States, there are approximately 16,000 sarcoma diagnoses (about 4,000 are bone sarcomas and approximately 13,000 are soft tissue sarcomas).
Where Are Most Sarcomas Found?
Sarcomas can develop in varied parts of your body — from your head to your toes:
Bone Sarcoma
Bone sarcomas are cancers that primarily originate from the bones. The most common types are osteosarcoma (bone), followed by chondrosarcoma (cartilage) and chordoma (notochord). Osteosarcoma is more common in children and young adults, whereas chondrosarcomas and chordomas are more commonly seen in adults of all ages.
Soft Tissue Sarcoma (STS)
Soft tissue sarcomas comprise more than 50 distinct subtypes. Some of the common subtypes include liposarcoma (a type of fat cancer), leiomyosarcoma (a type of muscle cancer), undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (a specific type of undifferentiated sarcoma), and angiosarcoma (a type of blood vessel cancer).
Soft tissue sarcomas can occur anywhere in the body, such as the head and neck, limbs, trunk, and pelvis. They can affect both deep organs in the body and surface organs, such as the skin. Sarcomas developing from the heart, blood vessels, and the scalp are also common.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumours (GIST)
Gastrointestinal stromal tumour, or GIST, is a non-cancerous tumour of the gastrointestinal tract that mainly arises from the stomach, but can also develop in the small intestines and also the rectum. GIST arises due to a mutation in a gene, namely a mutation of the KIT or PDGFRA gene. Mutations in these genes caused uncontrolled cell growth which ultimately lead to tumour development.
Ewing’s Sarcoma (EWS) & Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS)
Ewing's sarcoma (EWS) and rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) are both highly aggressive sarcomas. These sarcomas arise from soft tissue or bones, originating from any part of the body, including the head and neck, spine, long bones, and extremities, and chest. EWS and RMS typically affect children and young adults.
Cancer staging, or understanding the severity of the sarcoma, can help identify the best treatment options. Most sarcoma is classified via the TNM classification system by your provider:
T: How large and where the primary tumor is located
N: If the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes
M: If the cancer has spread to other organs (metastasized)
Your provider may determine the grade (G) of your cancer. This indicates the baseball cell's characteristics, including how much these cells resemble their regular counterparts. In general, if it appears closer to normal looking cells, your prognosis may be better.
Your provider will use this information to stage your sarcoma. The stage is indicated by a number (1-4); the greater the number, the more the cancer has grown locally or spread distantly throughout your body.
Surgery
Your provider will try to remove the entire cancer using as much healthy tissue as possible. They will perform a wide local excision and ensure healthy ("negative") tissue margins at the perimeter. This is done to remove the tumour and no microscopic disease is left behind.
The affected area must also be rebuilt. Limb salvage (saving or preserving an arm or a leg) may consist of removing the tumour and, potentially, placing metal replacements of joint reconstructions. It may be bone that is taken from another local area of the body or from somewhere else replacing the bone taken. There may be certain situations where the safest and best option is to amputate the affected limb and that can be a particularly difficult choice.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy utilises high-energy X-rays to target and destroy cancer cells while minimising damage to healthy cells. Radiation therapy can either be internal (placed in your body) or external (delivered by a machine outside your body). Radiation therapy employs advanced techniques so that radiation can be directed toward the cancer while healthy areas are spared.
Internal radiation therapy can be referred to as brachytherapy and can be used to treat sarcoma that has not spread. Brachytherapy can be administered in two ways; intra-operative radiotherapy (during surgery) and interstitial brachytherapy, administered through various catheters (plastic tubes) after surgery.
Radiation can also be utilised to treat sarcoma that has spread (metastatic disease).
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy utilises medications that destroy or decrease the growth of rapidly multiplying cancer cells. These medications are administered intravenously (via a needle into a blood vessel) or orally. You might receive chemotherapy before surgery to shrink the tumour or after the surgery. Chemotherapy may be given with radiation in some cases.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy finds vulnerabilities in cancer cells and takes advantage of them without harming healthy ones. Targeted therapy can only be used on certain types of cancer cells that have specific weaknesses that the treatment can target. Your provider may recommend targeted therapy as a stand-alone treatment or in combination with other medicines.
Immunotherapy (biologic therapy)
Immunotherapy helps your immune system function more effectively, allowing it to detect and destroy cancer cells. Cancer cells have features that permit them to evade your immune system, or turn off your immune response, which allows cancer cells to grow and thrive in your body. Immunotherapy can counter these defenses, so that ultimately your body can address the cancer cells.
Thermal ablation
The mass can sometimes be targeted for destruction by heating or freezing it. This is called thermal ablation or cryoablation when cold temperatures transform the tissue. An interventional radiologist is a specialist who performs this procedure using guided imaging (e.g., a CT scan to guide the probe to the desired location for freezing the tissue).
Palliative care
Palliative care is specialised medical care for people with serious illnesses, like cancer. The palliative care team can include doctors, nurses, social workers, nutritionists, and a variety of other healthcare professionals. These professionals can assist with symptom management and the management of treatment side effects. Your palliative care team can guide you through the complexity of your cancer experience while keeping your quality of life central.
Clinical trials
Your healthcare provider may also recommend participating in a clinical trial. Clinical trials are studies that examine the safety and effectiveness of new cancer treatments. New treatments for sarcoma are regularly being developed. Based on your specific diagnosis, a clinical trial may be a treatment option for you.
Treatment |
Min |
Max |
Chemotherapy (6 cycles) |
2,000 USD |
4000 USD |
Radiation Therapy (IMRT) |
2000 USD |
3500 USD |
Targeted Therapy (monthly) |
800 USD |
1500 USD |
Immunotherapy (monthly) |
1500 USD |
3000 USD |
Biopsy + Imaging |
500 USD |
1000 USD |
Surgery |
6000 USD |
9000 USD |
The symptoms you experience will depend on the location of the tumour. For instance, some sarcomas do not produce noticeable symptoms in the early stages, while others may feel like a painless lump beneath the skin. Other sarcomas will only cause pain once they are large enough to press on an organ.
Some sarcomas can cause chronic bone pain or swelling in your arm or leg, which is typically more pronounced in the evening or at night. These changes in the bone or soft tissue may affect your ability to move fully.
Some of the symptoms you may encounter are:
Some of the potential risk factors for sarcoma can include:
Age
Sarcomas can occur at any age, but are generally more frequent in younger individuals. Certain types of sarcoma can also occur in children.
Genetics
Genetic factors observed in families are the most significant risk factors for developing sarcomas.
Radiation
If a patient receives radiation therapy for another illness or medical condition, their risk of developing sarcomas at a later date also increases.
Chemicals
Different Industries can lead to exposure to certain chemicals, such as plastics, which can also contribute to the likelihood of sarcoma.
Inherited Changes
There are genetic changes that are more likely to cause sarcoma in certain people. Therefore, people with an inherited family history of sarcomas are at increased risk.
Gender
Sarcoma affects both men and women, but some sarcomas are more likely to occur in men or women.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions, like the disease of bones present in children, can create a high risk for the development of sarcoma.
Family History
Individuals with family members who have been diagnosed with sarcoma are at an increased risk of developing the disease. This may be due to genetic changes within a family's lineage.
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The cost of sarcoma treatment in India ranges from $3,000 to $12,000. Costs can vary for several factors, including the specific sarcoma type, stage of the disease, type of treatment received, hospital or clinic, and region in India.
Finding the most effective doctor to treat sarcoma in India is not objective, and it depends on the individual's needs and the type of sarcoma. Nevertheless, some renowned and experienced oncologists and surgeons specialise in sarcoma treatment at various hospitals in India.
No, sarcoma is not curable in a hundred percent situations. Although most types of sarcomas are treatable, especially when diagnosed early and confined to a specific part of the body, other sarcomas are more aggressive. They cannot be treated, especially when diagnosed at later stages.
Surgery to remove the malignant tissue is usually the most effective treatment for sarcoma. This procedure is frequently used in conjunction with other treatments like chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The specific strategy is determined by the patient's overall health, as well as the type and stage of the sarcoma.