Sarcoma Muscle Cancer- An Overview
http://www.healthmedicalresources.com/articles/435/1/Sarcoma-Muscle-Cancer--An-Overview-/Page1.html
Simon Harris
By Simon Harris
Published on March 7th, 2009
Sarcoma muscle cancer is a highly rare type of cancer that develops in
the connective tissues in the body. In the United States, approximately
9,800 new cases of sarcoma cancer are recorded each year. Although,
only 2% of adults accounts for this cancer but it is more common among
children. Studies indicate that sarcoma muscle cancer is one of the
most commonly diagnosed cancers among children.
Sarcoma muscle cancer is a highly rare type of cancer that develops in the connective tissues in the body. In the United States, approximately 9,800 new cases of sarcoma cancer are recorded each year. Although, only 2% of adults accounts for this cancer but it is more common among children. Studies indicate that sarcoma muscle cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among children.
This cancer develops not only clinically but certain soft tissue sarcomas develop from fat, muscle, nerve, fibrous tissues surrounding joints, blood vessel, or deep skin tissues. Worst part is that, this cancerous disease can infect any part of the body. Studies show that around 55% to 60% of this cancer develop in the arms or legs. Whereas, 15-20% begin in the trunk, 8-10% in head and neck area and internal organs and around 15% form at the back of the abdominal cavity. For cancers of these tissues, sarcoma is the term used.
Smooth and skeletal are the two main types of muscles in the human body. Muscles found in internal organs like stomach, intestines and blood vessels are called as smooth muscle. These muscles work involuntary and so we have no control over them. Skeletal muscle, on the other hand, are mainly attached to bones and helps in our body movement. These muscles are within our control, and so they are termed as voluntary muscles.
The tumor of smooth muscles are known as Leiomyomas. They are benign tumors and can arise almost anywhere in the body where smooth muscles are present. Fibroid tumor that develops in many women is one of the most common forms of these. The sarcoma muscle cancer formed in the involuntary muscle tissue are known as Leiomyosarcomas. Although, these cancers forms anywhere but are most often found in the back of the abdominal cavity and the internal organs and blood vessels. However, they may even affect the deep soft tissues of the legs or arms.
The benign tumors of skeletal muscle are known as Rhabdomyomas. These tumors are very rare. The malignant tumors of skeletal muscle is called Rhabdomyosarcomas. These tumors usually form in the arms or legs. However, at times they also form in the head and neck area and in reproductive and urinary organs such as the vagina or bladder. These cancers often affect the children as compared to adults.
One of the primary treatment for sarcoma muscle cancer is surgery. Removing tumor and at least 2-3 centimeters of the surrounding tissue is the main objective of surgery. In the olden days, amputation of an arm or leg was the only solution for soft tissue sarcomas. With the advancement in the surgical practice, nowadays, only 5% percent of cases were amputations are performed. Radiation therapy may also be applied before, during, and after surgery.
This cancer develops not only clinically but certain soft tissue sarcomas develop from fat, muscle, nerve, fibrous tissues surrounding joints, blood vessel, or deep skin tissues. Worst part is that, this cancerous disease can infect any part of the body. Studies show that around 55% to 60% of this cancer develop in the arms or legs. Whereas, 15-20% begin in the trunk, 8-10% in head and neck area and internal organs and around 15% form at the back of the abdominal cavity. For cancers of these tissues, sarcoma is the term used.
Smooth and skeletal are the two main types of muscles in the human body. Muscles found in internal organs like stomach, intestines and blood vessels are called as smooth muscle. These muscles work involuntary and so we have no control over them. Skeletal muscle, on the other hand, are mainly attached to bones and helps in our body movement. These muscles are within our control, and so they are termed as voluntary muscles.
The tumor of smooth muscles are known as Leiomyomas. They are benign tumors and can arise almost anywhere in the body where smooth muscles are present. Fibroid tumor that develops in many women is one of the most common forms of these. The sarcoma muscle cancer formed in the involuntary muscle tissue are known as Leiomyosarcomas. Although, these cancers forms anywhere but are most often found in the back of the abdominal cavity and the internal organs and blood vessels. However, they may even affect the deep soft tissues of the legs or arms.
The benign tumors of skeletal muscle are known as Rhabdomyomas. These tumors are very rare. The malignant tumors of skeletal muscle is called Rhabdomyosarcomas. These tumors usually form in the arms or legs. However, at times they also form in the head and neck area and in reproductive and urinary organs such as the vagina or bladder. These cancers often affect the children as compared to adults.
One of the primary treatment for sarcoma muscle cancer is surgery. Removing tumor and at least 2-3 centimeters of the surrounding tissue is the main objective of surgery. In the olden days, amputation of an arm or leg was the only solution for soft tissue sarcomas. With the advancement in the surgical practice, nowadays, only 5% percent of cases were amputations are performed. Radiation therapy may also be applied before, during, and after surgery.