WHAT IS SARCOMA CANCER

Sarcoma is a general class of uncommon cancers in which the cancer cells arise from or resemble normal cells in the body known as "connective tissues". Normal "connective tissues" include fat, muscle, blood vessels, deep skin tissues, nerves, bones, and cartilage. Cancers of cells which resemble any of these normal tissues are known as "sarcomas". Sarcomas are sub-classified based upon the specific type of cell that makes up the cancer. Some of the most common subtypes of sarcoma are listed here http://sarcoma.net/facts.htm

Rhabdomyosarcoma was the particular type of sarcoma cancer that was found in Brett. It consists of malignant tumours which resemble developing skeletal muscle. These tumours most commonly grow in the arms or legs, but can also develop in the head or neck area, as well as the urinary and reproductive organs. The first sign of Brett’s condition was when he noticed lumps on the side of his neck.

Can soft tissue Sarcomas be discovered early? http://sarcoma.net/facts.htm

If you have a history of more than one family member with sarcoma, you should discuss genetic testing with your physician. There are certain family syndromes which predispose to the development of sarcoma. However, these are very, very rare and the vast majority of patients with sarcoma do not risk passing on any increased risk of developing sarcoma to their children.

As with concerns for any cancer, in general, you should notify your physician if you discover any lumps or growths.

Since the symptoms of sarcoma do not show up until the disease is advanced, you should see your physician if any of the following problems arise:

• Any new lump or growing lump appears on your body; 
• Increasing abdominal pain; 
• Blood in your stools or vomit (when blood appears in your stool it may not look red but the stool may look black and tarry).

How are soft tissue sarcomas diagnosed? http://sarcoma.net/facts.htm

Scientists do not fully understand why some people develop sarcomas while the vast majority do not. However, by identifying common characteristics in groups with unusually high occurrence rates, researchers have been able to single out some factors that may play a role in causing sarcomas. For more information on these findings please visit

http://www.curesarcoma.org/aboutSarcoma.htm

Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common malignant soft tissue tumour of children and young adults. It is an extremely uncommon tumour in adults over the age of 30. There are approximately 250 cases per year in the United States. Males are affected slightly more than females. More than half these cases occur in children below the age of 10 years.

The malignant cells of this tumour have features characteristic of developing skeletal muscle. Although rhabdomyosarcoma can appear in the extremities, it is more frequently seen in other areas: the head and neck region, the vaginal area in females, the testicular area in males, or the bladder and prostate. Most commonly the disease presents as a painless mass. It can also be diagnosed secondary to bleeding or pain at the site. Sometimes the tumour will present as a grape-like mass, somewhat unique among the soft tissue tumours.

For more information on Rhabdomyosarcoma please visit

http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/UVAHealth/peds_oncology/rhabdo.cfm

This site explains the 4 sates of development of the cancer:

Stage 1: Favourable localised disease completely resected.

Stage 2: Localised disease at an unfavourable primary site, less than 5 cm in size and without lymph node involvement.

Stage 3: Localised disease at an unfavourable primary site and either greater than 5 cm in size or with lymph node involvement.

Stage 4: Metastatic disease at time of diagnosis.