Signs and symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma
Soft tissue sarcoma (SCMM) is a rare type of cancer, accounting for about 1.5% of cases in all types of cancer. The incidence rate is higher in men than in women.
Soft tissue sarcoma is a type of malignant cancer, originating in the soft tissues of the body (including muscles, tendons, fat, lymph, blood vessels). blood and nerves). These cancers can develop anywhere in the body but are found primarily in the arms, legs, chest and abdomen.
According to the American Cancer Society about half of patients with soft tissue sarcoma begin in the arms or legs. Most people notice a lump that develops over time. time (weeks to months). The tumor may or may not be painful.
When the tumor grows in the back of the abdomen (retroperitoneal) the symptoms often come from other problems that the mass For example, they can cause blockage or bleeding in the stomach or intestines. They can press on nerves, blood vessels, or nearby organs. They can grow large enough to be felt Tumors in the abdomen. Sometimes the tumors cause pain. About 4 out of 10 cases of sarcoma start in the abdomen (abdomen).
In rare cases sarcoma can start in the chest or abdomen. in the head or neck.
If you have any of these problems see your doctor immediately:
– A new lump or mass a tumor is growing (anywhere on your body).
– Abdominal pain that is getting worse.
– There is blood in your stool or vomit.
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– Tarry black stool (when bleeding in the stomach or intestines the blood can turn black when it is digested and it can make the stool very black and sticky).
These symptoms can also be caused by causes other than sarcoma, but they still need to be checked by a doctor.
Survival rates for people with sarcoma /strong>
Survival rates can give you data about the percentage of people with the same type and stage of cancer who are still alive over a certain period of time (usually 5 years) after they were diagnosed. It can’t tell you how long you will live, but it can help you better understand the likelihood of treatment success.
So how long can you live with sarcoma cancer? According to estimates, the 5-year survival rate when the disease is localized is 81%, when it spreads to neighboring areas is 56%, and when it has metastasized distantly, it is only 15%. Overall, for all stages, the 5-year survival rate is 65%.
What causes soft tissue sarcomas?
Scientists Science doesn’t know exactly what causes most soft tissue sarcomas, but they have found some risk factors that can make a person more likely to develop these types of cancers. And research has shown that some of these risk factors influence genes in cells in soft tissue.
Researchers have made progress in understanding how these Certain changes in DNA (gene fragments) can cause normal cells to become cancerous. DNA carries instructions for almost everything our cells do. We often resemble our parents because they are the source of our DNA.
Some genes that promote cell division are called oncogenes. Other genes that slow down cell division or cause cells to die at the right time are called tumor suppressor genes.
Cancer can be caused by DNA mutations (defects) that turn on the gene that produces cancer or turn off tumor suppressor genes.
Many familial cancer syndromes have been discovered in which inherited DNA mutations confer a risk of developing breast cancer colon kidney eye or Other cancers are very high. Some of these syndromes are also associated with an increased risk of developing soft tissue sarcomas.
These syndromes are caused by mutations in genes that can be inherited from either parent . Some of these gene defects can be found through testing.
DNA mutations in soft tissue sarcoma are common. But they are often acquired during life rather than being inherited before birth. Acquired mutations may result from exposure to radiation or cancer-causing chemicals. In most sarcomas they occur for no apparent reason.
Researchers still do not know why most soft tissue sarcomas develop in people with no obvious risk factors. clear.
The only way to prevent some soft tissue sarcomas is to avoid exposure to risk factors whenever possible. But most sarcomas develop in people with no known risk factors. So at this time there is no known way to prevent most cases. And for those who receive radiation therapy, there are often very few options.
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