Sarcoma
Sarcoma is a highly malignant form of cancer arising in the bones and connective tissues in the body. Normal connective tissues may include (but are not limited to) muscles, deep skin tissues, nerves, blood vessels, fat, cartilage, joints, ligaments, and tendons.
Sarcoma can start anywhere in the human body; it’s a disease that knows no borders.
There are approximately 9,800 new cases of soft tissue and bone sarcoma each year in the United States alone. While rare among adults, sarcoma is among the top five most commonly diagnosed cancers among children and adolescents.
Sarcoma is referred to as an ‘orphan disease’. Currently, sarcoma takes the back seat to more common forms of cancer such as leukemia, lymphoma, breast cancer, and lung cancer. Consequently, sarcoma receives significantly less support from the cancer community, particularly concerning research funding.
Too little is known about this disease to the extent that over the last 2˝ decades, few advances in the treatment of sarcoma have been discovered – a stark contrast to the significant development achieved in treating other cancers. In fact, the number of doctors with solid experience in treating sarcomas is so limited that sarcoma patients often receive treatment that actually lessens their life expectancy before arriving at one of just a handful of clinics in the United States that specialize in the treatment of this disease. Of course, treatment away from home only adds to the emotional trauma that accompanies any cancer diagnosis. Away from family and friends, sarcoma patients can feel even more isolated and alone.
For more information on the Amschwand Sarcoma Cancer Foundation, sarcoma, forums, discussions, and other links and resources please visit the ASCF homepage at www.sarcomacancer.org
