Every year in July, Sarcoma Awareness Month brings attention to a group of rare and often misunderstood cancers. Sarcoma is not just one disease: it is a a family of cancers that originate in the bones and soft tissues such as fat, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and deep skin tissues. While sarcomas account for only about 1% of all adult cancers and 15% of paediatric cancers, their impact is profound, especially due to limited awareness and late diagnosis. Raising awareness is crucial to helping with early detection, advancing research, and supporting those affected.
Types of sarcomas
Sarcomas are primarily divided into two main categories: soft tissue sarcomas and bone sarcomas. There are more than 70 subtypes, and this complicates both diagnosis and treatment. Examples of common soft tissue sarcomas include liposarcoma (originating from fat tissue), leiomyosarcoma (arising from smooth muscle), and angiosarcoma (developing from blood vessels). Bone sarcomas consist of osteosarcoma (frequently seen in children and young adults), Ewing sarcoma, and chondrosarcoma.
A sarcoma typically appears as a painless lump or swelling that may increase in size over time. Since these signs can be confused with non-cancerous conditions such as cysts or injuries, diagnosis is often postponed, permitting the cancer to advance.
Risk factors
While sarcoma can affect anyone, certain risk factors increase susceptibility. These include: genetic conditions such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome or neurofibromatosis; previous radiation therapy, especially in areas later affected by sarcoma; chemical exposure to agents like vinyl chloride or dioxins; chronic swelling (lymphedema) or certain inherited syndromes.
Children and young adults are more frequently diagnosed with bone sarcomas, while soft tissue sarcomas are more common in older adults.
Challenges in diagnosis and treatment
One of the major difficulties with sarcoma is the limited awareness among the public, and even within the clinical community. Some general practitioners might go their entire careers without encountering a sarcoma case, either because they have not come across one, or because they may not be aware of the signs and symptoms, resulting in a missed diagnosis. These situations influence treatment outcomes, as therapies are more effective when administered in the early stages of sarcoma.
Management usually consists of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Developments in targeted therapies and immunotherapy provide new optimism, especially for those diagnosed with metastatic or recurrent sarcoma. Nevertheless, because sarcomas are rare and varied, research funding is significantly less than that for more prevalent cancers. This paucity of funding has a negative impact on drug development, clinical trial opportunities, and access to specialised treatment modalities.
The importance of awareness
Sarcoma Awareness Month is essential to inform the public, legislators, and medical professionals about the distinct difficulties associated with this type of cancer. Heightened awareness can facilitate earlier diagnoses, which in turn create an opportunity to improve survival rates. Additionally, it fosters public backing for research funding and motivates pharmaceutical companies and researchers to focus on creating improved treatment alternatives.
Community events, educational webinars, fundraising campaigns, and patient testimonials help amplify the voices of those affected by sarcoma. The yellow ribbon, the symbol of sarcoma awareness, serves as a visual reminder of the need for continued advocacy and support.
Supporting patients and families
A sarcoma diagnosis can be life-changing not just for the patient but also for their families. Given the rarity of the disease, many patients feel isolated or overwhelmed. Connecting with sarcoma-specific support groups and organizations can provide emotional, financial, and informational assistance.
Organisations such as the Sarcoma Foundation of America, Children’s Cancer Research Fund, and Sarcoma UK offer resources for patients, fund research initiatives, and advocate for better public health policies. These groups also push for inclusion of sarcoma in national and international cancer agendas.
How you can help
Even if you are not directly affected by sarcoma, there are several ways to support the cause: educate yourself and others about the signs and symptoms of sarcoma; participate in awareness campaigns during Sarcoma Awareness Month; donate to sarcoma research foundations or volunteer your time; advocate for better healthcare policies and more research funding and support patients and families through acts of kindness and community engagement.
This July, and every month, let us stand together to shine a light on sarcoma and support those who face it with courage and hope.
(Dr. Vernon Neville Lee is a senior consultant at the department of orthopaedics, Naruvi Hospitals, Vellore. Vernon.l@naruvihospitals.com)
Published – July 05, 2025 07:30 am IST
