Sarcoma Treatment in Singapore

What is Sarcoma?

A cancerous tumour that occurs in bone or soft tissue is referred to as a sarcoma. Soft tissues support other structures of the body, including:

• Fat, muscle.
• Ligaments.
• Tendons.
• Cartilage.
• Blood vessels.
• Nerves.

Sarcomas are rare, occurring in approximately 1% of all cancers diagnosed in adults and 15% of all cancers diagnosed in children. Approximately 16,000 sarcomas are diagnosed yearly in the United States, comprising roughly 13,000 soft tissue and approximately 4,000 bone sarcomas.

Types of Sarcoma

A group of sarcoma cancers occurs in connective tissues, such as cartilage, muscles, fat, and bones. Sarcomas occur in two main types:

• Soft tissue sarcomas occur in the body's soft tissues, which include muscles, fat, blood vessels, nerves, and fibrous tissues. Some of the various types of soft tissue sarcomas include:
  • Liposarcoma (tissue containing fat)
  • Smooth muscle tissue, or leiomyosarcoma
  • Bone skeletal muscle tissue rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Sarcoma synovial (joint tissues)
  • Angiovascular angiosarcoma
  • (fibrous tissue) Fibrosarcoma
  • Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST)
• Bone sarcoma develops in the bones. Common types are:
  • Osteosarcoma (bone)
  • Chondrosarcoma (cartilage tissue)
  • Ewing's Sarcoma (bone and soft tissue)
  • Fibrosarcoma of bone tissue

What is the Importance of Timely Treatment?

Early treatment is crucial for cancer, particularly Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC), as it improves prognoses, reduces the risk of metastasis, and prevents the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body.

Early intervention facilitates the use of increased treatment modalities, less toxic medications, and higher survival rates. Delaying therapy may lead to more severe stages, which are more challenging to treat and harm the quality of life and prognosis. Enhancing the chance of recovery and long-term health demands early diagnosis and treatment.

What are the Common Symptoms of Sarcoma?

The following are common symptoms of sarcoma:

• A lump or swelling that initially might not be painful but later becomes painful.
• Pain in the area near the tumour site, especially if the tumour presses on nerves or muscles.
• Tiredness and overall ill feeling.
• Unexplained loss of appetite or weight loss.
• The affected area is limited in mobility or stiffness, especially in bone sarcomas.
• Bone pain or fracture if the cancer involves the bones.
• The tumour might be red or warm near the skin's surface.

Causes and Risk Factors of Sarcoma

Causes

While the specific cause of sarcoma is often not known, several variables can increase the risk, including:

• Genetic Factors: Inherited disorders, such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Gardner syndrome, and von Recklinghausen disease (neurofibromatosis type 1), can increase the risk of sarcoma.
• Radiation Exposure: Sarcoma risk in the treated area can be increased by previous radiation treatment for other malignancies.
• Chronic Lymphedema: Swelling that persists due to lymphatic fluid obstruction, often after radiation or surgery, may increase the risk, particularly for angiosarcoma.

Risk Factors

Your chances of developing sarcoma can be higher because of various factors. Risk factors are:

• Chemical exposure: Arsenic and certain chemicals are used in the manufacture of wood preservatives (chlorophenols), herbicides (phenoxyacetic acid), and plastics (vinyl chloride monomer).
• Radiation: Excessive radiation exposure from earlier cancer treatments.
• Lymphedema: Protracted swelling of the arms or legs is called lymphedema.
• Genetic diseases: Certain genetic diseases and mutations in chromosomes, such as tuberous sclerosis, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, retinoblastoma, von Hippel-Lindau disease, Gorlin syndrome, Gardner syndrome, Werner syndrome, and neurofibromatosis type 1.

Latest Research and Technologies in the Treatment of Sarcoma in Singapore

Recent developments in sarcoma treatment in Singapore are marking a significant turn towards precision medicine and groundbreaking therapies. Researchers from A*STAR, NCCS, and NUS have introduced the Quadratic Phenotypic Optimisation Platform (QPOP). This system swiftly identifies effective drug combinations for soft tissue sarcomas (STS) by analysing cells taken from patients. This method has led to the discovery of exciting new treatments, such as the pairing of AZD5153 and pazopanib, which targets difficult oncogenes like MYC. Additionally, proton therapy, which was launched in Singapore in 2023, offers an exact radiation treatment for sarcomas located near critical organs, minimising damage to the surrounding healthy tissues.

Sarcoma Prevention Tips

The following tips can prevent sarcoma:

• Limit unnecessary radiation exposure, including exposure from medical tests, and follow protection guidelines when undergoing radiation therapy.
• For surveillance and early detection, consider genetic counselling if you have a family history of genetic conditions that predispose you to sarcomas, like Li-Fraumeni syndrome or neurofibromatosis.
• Regular medical check-ups can help identify potential risks or signs of sarcoma.
• Consume a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to enhance overall health and boost the immune system.