Sarcoma is rare, and its early signs are often easy to explain away. These cancers begin in bone or soft tissues such as muscle, fat, nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue.
Bone sarcomas include osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma and chondrosarcoma, while soft-tissue sarcomas include rhabdomyosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma, among many subtypes.
There are a number of myths surrounding cancer that often leave the people diagnosed with the disorder and their family members confused. In an interaction with HT Lifestyle, Dr Liza Bulsara debunked four such popular myths.
Fact: Early soft-tissue sarcoma often presents as a painless mass, warned Dr Bulsara. A lump that is growing, deep or persistent deserves assessment.
“A size of five centimetres or more raises particular concern, although smaller sarcomas can also occur,” she noted. “Bone sarcoma may present with persistent focal pain, swelling, pain at night, a limp or a fracture without a clear reason.”
Fact: “Osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma occur more often in children and adolescents, while rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in children,” stated Dr Bulsara.
Persistent, one-sided bone pain or swelling in a growing child should be examined rather than repeatedly attributed to a growth spurt.
The doctor further cautioned that sarcoma can also be diagnosed during pregnancy. A growing mass should be investigated, with imaging, biopsy and treatment planned according to gestational age and the risks to mother and baby.
Fact: A fall or injury does not create a sarcoma; it may simply draw attention to pain or a mass that was already present. A properly planned biopsy is essential for identifying the exact subtype and grade, and it does not cause systemic spread.
“It should be arranged with the sarcoma team because the needle path or incision can affect later surgery,” stated Dr Bulsara.
Fact: While amputation was once more common, modern multimodality care, combining chemotherapy or radiation where indicated with carefully planned surgery and reconstruction, now allows limb-sparing treatment in most extremity sarcomas.
However, Dr Bulsara noted that amputation may still remain necessary in selected cases, depending on the tumour’s size, location and involvement of vital structures.
“Across these myths, delay is the central concern,” she stated. “Early diagnosis means a better prognosis. A growing lump or persistent focal bone pain deserves specialist review before it narrows the options for treatment.”
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Dr Liza Bulsara, MD Paediatrics, FIAP-PHO, is a Senior Consultant of Pediatric Haematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant at Surya Mother & Child Super Speciality Hospital, Wakad, Pune. With 10+ years of experience, Dr Bulsara specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood blood disorders and cancers.
Debapriya Bhattacharya is a Content Producer at Hindustan Times. He started his career in 2022, working in newsrooms in beats like education, US news, trending stories, and entertainment. In his new role in the lifestyle desk, he seeks to deliver a balanced blend of research-driven reporting and creative storytelling from health and recipes to art and culture. Science, philosophy, food and pop culture are what pump his veins and help bring heart to his stories. Debapriya tries to see out subjects that will allow him and readers to explore new frontiers and improve the quality of life for all. The explorations can be both external and internal, as thoughts seek to be as chaotic as the greater universe. As a citizen of the world, Debapriya has been fascinated by the lives of people across the globe throughout time. His curiosity leads him to explore new linguistic and cultural landscapes to broaden his horizons and deepen his understanding of global narratives. Beyond the newsroom, Debapriya loves to participate in debate and theatre, spaces that he considers to be holy grounds for nuance and self-expression. A graduate from Ashutosh College, University of Calcutta, Debapriya completed his Master's degree from the same university in 2022. An ambiverted bibliophile, he loves his solitude as much as he adores stimulating conversations. And despite his reverence for tech, libraries continue to be his favourite place for research.Read More
