Knowing signs and symptoms of sarcoma cancer
1. Introduction
Sarcomas are rare cancers of connective tissues, with over 100 recognised sub-types categorised as soft tissue and bone sarcomas. They can occur in any part of the body, but they most commonly present as a lump or pain around the bone. These symptoms lead many people with sarcoma to consult a physiotherapist.
Early detection of a sarcoma by a physiotherapist can significantly impact the outcome. Unfortunately, delays in diagnosis are common, which can have severe consequences. For instance, an increase of one centimetre in the size of a primary sarcoma at diagnosis is associated with a three to five percent decrease in survival rates [1]. Currently, only 55% of sarcoma patients survive beyond five years.
