A Bump On Your Arm? It Could Be Rare Sarcoma Cancer

David, a healthy fit man, who always observed what he ate, never smoked and drank, even socially was taken a back when the doctor told him that he will have to undergo a chemotherapy. "But chemotherapy is for people with cancer," he said. That is when he realized that a lump on his arm was more than just any lump, it was not benign. It was cancerous. He got his treatment at the Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada, where his story is also featured on their website, with many other survivors. This is giving other survivors the hope that no matter how difficult it may be. They can come out of it!

What Is Sarcoma Cancer?

John Hopkins Medicine notes that sarcomas are rare cancer that develop in the bones and soft tissues, including fat, muscles, blood vessels nerves, deep skin tissues, and fibrous tissues. As per the National Cancer Institute, about 12,000 cases of soft tissue sarcomas and 3,000 cases of bone sarcomas are diagnosed in the United States each year. Bone sarcomas are becoming more common among the children, while soft tissue sarcomas are becoming common among adults.

What Are The Types Of Sarcomas?

Soft Tissue Sarcomas

This happens in the soft tissues of the body, mainly in your arms, legs, chest or abdomen. David's case was also of soft tissue sarcoma. These tissue tumors can also occur in children, but are more common among adults.

Bone Tissue Sarcomas

They are mainly bone tumors, which means that they develop on the bones and are most commonly diagnosed among children.

What Could Cause It?

Most sarcomas do not have a known cause, however, there are certain reasons that may make one prone to sarcomas. These include:

Radiation Therapy History

Patients who have undergone radiation therapy for previous cancers may face a higher risk of developing sarcoma.

Genetic Disorders

Inherited conditions like Von Recklinghausen’s disease (neurofibromatosis), Gardner syndrome, Werner syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, and retinoblastoma can increase sarcoma risk.

Chemical Exposure

Exposure to substances like vinyl chloride (used in plastics), dioxin, or arsenic may raise the risk of sarcoma. However, most sarcomas are not directly linked to environmental hazards.

Chronic Swelling (Lymphedema)

Long-term swelling in the arms or legs, known as lymphedema, may contribute to a higher risk of sarcoma.

What Are The Most Common Sarcoma Symptoms?

The most common symptoms for bone sarcoma includes:

• Pain and swelling in an arm or leg, the trunk, the pelvis or the back. In many cases the swelling may also feel warm to the touch
• Limited range of motion in a joint
• Fever of unknown origin
• Bone that breaks from no apparent cause

In soft tissue sarcoma, one of the first symptoms is a painless lump or swelling. Some sarcomas may not cause any symptoms until they grow and press on neighboring nerves, organs, or muscles.

Coming back to David, due to his treatment at the right time and right place, he was able to recover from it. Currently, he shares his story with everyone so they too can find hope for battling cancer. "I am thrilled to say that years later, I am a survivor living a happy and healthy life that I now have even more appreciation for. Surgery saved my life and my friends and family allowed me to get back to living and enjoying it," he told to Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Cancer.