Sarcoma is a relatively rare type of cancer. But what is sarcoma? What causes it? How many people are affected? And what are we doing to find new cures? We are here to answer your questions.
What is sarcoma?
Sarcoma refers to a group of cancers that can affect any part of the body. Sarcoma tumours arise from connective tissue such as bone, cartilage, or fat. Scientists estimate that there are around 100 different types of sarcoma based on the tissue the cancer starts in and where in the body it is located. Sarcoma is a relatively rare cancer, representing around 1% of all cancers diagnosed.
How rare is sarcoma?
Rare cancers are much more difficult to collect reliable data for, but our friends at Sarcoma UK have pulled together the most recent sarcoma statistics which provide a snapshot of sarcoma in the UK. 5,240 people were diagnosed with sarcoma in the UK in 2016, and currently only 55% will survive their diagnosis for five years or more.
It is vital that we continue to search for new cures for sarcoma if we want to reach a day when no life is cut short by cancer. In 2021, we launched two new projects focusing on improving our understanding of sarcoma and how to treat it.
What causes sarcoma?
Because sarcoma is so rare, it is less studied than other types of cancer. It’s not clear what causes most sarcomas, which is why research into sarcoma is so important. There are several factors which we know can increase a person’s risk of developing certain types of sarcoma, such as:
Inherited genetic syndromes...
...such as familial retinoblastoma and neurofibromatosis type 1 are known to increase a person’s risk of developing sarcoma.
Radiotherapy for cancer...
...has been linked to an increase in sarcoma development later in life.
Chronic swelling also known as lymphedema...
...can increase the risk of developing a specific type of sarcoma called angiosarcoma.
Exposure to certain chemicals and herbicides...
...can increase the risk of sarcomas in the liver.
Exposure to the human herpesvirus 8...
...is known to increase the risk of a certain type of sarcoma called Kaposi's sarcoma.
What are we doing to find new cures for sarcoma?
There are around 100 different types of sarcoma and each one requires a different treatment approach. To cure sarcoma, we will need to find cures for each type of sarcoma.
Professor Kevin Hiom at the University of Dundee is currently studying a type of sarcoma called liposarcoma and how certain genetic mutations lead to its development. His research will be the starting point for developing new treatments for this rare and understudied cancer.
Dr Gerard Brien at Trinity College Dublin is studying how a specific genetic mutation causes the development of a particularly aggressive type of sarcoma called synovial sarcoma, which mainly affects children and has poor survival rates. This research will improve our understanding of this cancer and pave the way for the development of new treatments.
But it is not just the scientists who are making this happen. We cannot fund vital research like this without the support of Curestarters like you. Together we can save lives by discovering the next cure for cancer. Will you join us today?
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