Sarcomas-Recognition and referral

Rare cancers - heterogeneous group of malignant neoplasms arising from mesenchymal cells -can happen in any anatomical site but happens more frequently in connective tissues They are complex and rare hence difficult to study and manage Several databases have been developed which are long - term institutional , multi-institutional and national which collect epidemiological and clinical data on sarcomas WHO has recognised over 70 histotopes of sarcoma with two main categories - Soft tissue sarcoma ( STS ) and Bone sarcoma ( BS ) In Europe SST are the predominant type and constitute about 84 % of all the sarcomas diagnosed Amongst the bone sarcomas Osteosarcoma is the most frequent bone sarcoma overall.

Seen more frequently in young adults and adolescents compared to other cancers They make up < than 1 % of all cancers There is a male preponderance Most cases the aetiology is unknown , certain genetic associations are known for e.g risk of malignant nerve sheath tumour ( MPNST ) in individuals with familial neurofibromatosis due to mutation in the NF1 gene Soft tissue sarcoma -rare malignancy- derived embryologically from the mesenchyme often form in muscles , joints , fat , nerves , seep skin tissues and...