Latest news with #sarcoma
BreakingNews.ie
6 days ago
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
What you need to know about sarcoma – the cancer you've never heard of
When most people think of cancer, names like breast, lung, or prostate cancer instantly come to mind. However, there's another, lesser-known form called sarcoma that affects thousands of people in the UK every year, yet rarely makes headlines. Despite its relative obscurity, it's one of the most aggressive and challenging cancers to diagnose and treat. Advertisement Ahead of Sarcoma Awareness Month (July), we got in touch with Helen Stradling, head of support and healthcare professional engagement services at Sarcoma UK, to find out exactly what sarcoma is, why awareness is so low, and what some of the early symptoms are… What is sarcoma? Sarcoma refers to a broad group of cancers that start in the bones and soft tissues. Photo: Alamy/PA. Sarcoma is a type of cancer that can appear anywhere in the body and everyday 15 people in the UK are diagnosed with it, according to Sarcoma UK's website. 'In terms of breast cancer, lung cancer and bowel cancer, it's very obvious where they come from, whereas the word sarcomas doesn't really tell you anything,' acknowledges Stradling. 'Sarcomas are cancers of the bits and pieces that put us together, like nerves, bones, blood vessels and fat cells.' There are many different subtypes of sarcomas, but they are generally grouped into two main categories. Advertisement 'The main types are sarcomas of bone and sarcomas of soft tissue,' explains Stradling. 'The most common soft tissue sarcomas are the GISTs (gastrointestinal stromal tumours), liposarcomas and leiomyosarcomas, and in the bone sarcomas, the ones we tend to hear the most about are the osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcomas.' Why have many people never heard of sarcomas? 'I think it all comes down to the rarity of it,' says Stradling. 'We diagnose about 5,300 sarcomas in the UK every year, so it's very unlikely when somebody gets a sarcoma diagnosis that they've known somebody else that's had one. 'It's also not the type of cancer that you see spoken about very often in the media. A lot of people that get a sarcoma diagnosis have never heard of sarcomas before.' What are the symptoms? View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sarcoma UK (@sarcoma_uk) 'The main sign of a soft tissue sarcoma is a lump that you can see that is changing or growing,' highlights Stradling. 'Benign lumps are really common, but anyone who has a soft tissue lump anywhere on the body that is growing and changing needs to get that checked out.' Whereas, the main symptom of bone sarcomas is bone pain or swelling that tends to be worse at night. Advertisement 'There's a lot of reasons for joint and bone pain, but if you've got bone pain that you can't put down to any kind of injury, that is not relieving itself with painkillers or anything like that, and the pain wakes you at night, that's a red flag sign,' emphasises Stradling. However, GISTs sarcomas tend to be harder to identify. 'GISTs are a little bit more tricky, because you can hardly ever see anything from them,' says Stradling. 'It's more likely to show up with more subtle signs like bloating or blood in your vomit or stools. 'If you have got any these symptoms and you are being pushed back from healthcare professionals that you're seeing, we would urge you to keep going. If you are really concerned that it could be a sarcoma, mention the word to the professional so that it is something they can consider or start investigating.' Advertisement How is it diagnosed? Diagnosis of sarcomas usually start with an ultrasound or an X-ray. Photo: Alamy/PA. 'It usually starts with somebody either seeing their GP, a physio or a nurse and a lot of time it will be a soft tissue lump that's growing or bone pain,' says Stradling. 'With soft tissue sarcomas we tend to start with an ultrasound and with bone sarcomas we start with X-ray. 'If there's any concern that it might be something more sinister, the patient then has an MRI scan. But most importantly, once that MRI scan is done, we must get a biopsy, because with there being so many different subtypes, we need to know exactly which one we're dealing with to know which is the best treatment for you to have.' Like most forms of cancer, sarcomas can be found at different grades and are much easier to treat if you catch them early before they spread. 'The sooner we can get these diagnosed the better,' says Stradling. 'We know that getting patients into seeing the specialist teams and getting them started on treatment as soon as we can makes a huge positive difference for outcomes.' The primary focus of Sarcoma Awareness Month is to encourage earlier diagnosis and to improve treatment options for those affected by this disease. Photo: Alamy/PA. How is it treated? The primary treatment for sarcomas, both soft tissue and bone sarcomas, is surgery. The goal is to remove the tumour, along with a margin of healthy tissue to minimise the risk of recurrence, according to Sarcoma UK's website. Advertisement 'We really need to get the them at a size where we can do a surgery that isn't going to leave somebody with life-limiting mobility or not being able to do everything that they want to do,' says Stradling. 'We want to avoid the stage where the tumours have already spread, because then the treatments that we've got are limited.' Sarcomas can also be treated with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, often alongside surgery. 'We do use chemotherapy and radiotherapy for a number of sarcomas, but in a lot of the cases, we don't use them until they've already spread because we know that they're not as effective as we would like them to be,' explains Stradling. 'However, this is slightly different with the younger people that get the bone sarcomas, as they do tend to start with chemotherapy as a kickoff treatment. But in most cases, surgery is the first thing that needs to happen.'
The Independent
20-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Sarcoma is an aggressive form of cancer. Here's key symptoms to know
Sarcoma is an aggressive but less recognised cancer affecting connective tissues like nerves, bones, and fat cells, with around 5,300 diagnoses annually in the UK. Public awareness of sarcoma remains low due to its relative rarity and less descriptive name compared to more common cancers. Key symptoms include a growing or changing lump for soft tissue sarcomas, persistent bone pain for bone sarcomas, and subtle signs like bloating or internal bleeding for GISTs. Diagnosis typically involves imaging such as ultrasound, X-ray, and MRI, followed by a crucial biopsy to determine the specific subtype for effective treatment planning. The primary treatment for sarcoma is surgery to remove the tumor, often combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy, with early diagnosis significantly improving patient outcomes. The truth about the aggressive type of cancer you've probably not heard of
The Sun
14-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
I never thought I'd have to worry about Isobel – then she died at 21 after dismissive doctors said ‘just take ibuprofen'
WHEN Isobel Allen cried to her GP about the pain she was experiencing, the teenager was told not to worry. It would be several appointments later - and eventually, after opting to go private - that Isobel would find out that her painful periods were the first sign of the disease that would lead to her death. 13 13 13 Isobel, of Hornchurch, Essex, was a normal 19-year-old girl who liked to go out with her friends and buy new clothes. She worked as an accounts manager at a recruitment company and her parents say they never worried for her future. Something about Isobel's pain didn't sit right with mum, Sarah, but she tried to believe the doctors. But looking back, Sarah realises how Isobel was "let down". Isobel died on April 2, 2025, aged 21 years old. She was told she had incurable sarcoma cancer six months after first seeing a GP. Sarah, a former hairdresser, tells Sun Health: 'The doctors literally thought she was a teenager making a meal out of nothing. 'But I knew she wasn't, I knew that the pain she was in wasn't normal. 'Isobel felt so strongly - and we do as a family - that medics aren't listening to these youngsters. They're being misdiagnosed time and time again. 'She would scream at the TV when she saw one of those NHS adverts saying ' early diagnosis saves lives '. Because we had to pay privately for her diagnosis." Sarah, who is married to Isobel's dad, Christian Allen, 50, who works in the construction industry, adds: 'I know deep down it isn't our fault, but as parents, there have been times when we've doubted ourselves. But you believe the medical professionals. 'Isobel fought with every bone in her body. At her funeral, her dad said, 'I never thought I'd have to worry about Isabel. She was confident, outgoing, and had everything going for her'. 'And it changed so suddenly.' 13 Isobel started having painful periods and spotting - bleeding inbetween - in November 2022. Sarah says they went to the GP 'a few times' before Isobel was given an ultrasound. 'He said it was fibroids [benign growths in the womb] and she started to cry,' Sarah recalls. 'He said, 'Why are you crying?' And she said, 'I'm worried it could be something serious'. He said, 'No, no, it's just fibroids'. 'So we didn't think anything more of it. I have fibroids, a lot of women do.' But Sarah grew concerned because the pain Isobel was experiencing seemed abnormal, with painkillers barely touching the sides. By February, she was experiencing 'really bad belly pain' - which Sarah says doctors recommended ibuprofen for - and in March, the pain spread to her back and legs. They told us Isobel had cancer and it had spread to quite a few places. It wasn't like how you see it on the TV, when they hold your hand. She was told quickly, without compassion. SarahIsobel's mum Sarah took her to A&E at Queen's Hospital in Romford on two occasions in March which conducted more ultrasounds. 'By now, Isobel could hardly walk, she was hanging on to me to walk, and had been signed off work,' she says. 'The only time she was happy or comfortable was if she was in the bath or laying on the settee. 'She was running baths at three o'clock in the morning. I just knew it wasn't normal. 'I've found out since this that youngsters can sleep through pain and if they can't, it's something really bad. Now that's all adding up.' Isobel was also suffering bloating, loss of appetite, night sweats and fatigue - all red flag signs of cancer. She was referred to The London Independent Hospital and was told by a gynaecologist again that she had a fibroid in the womb. An MRI would have a six month-wait because they were 'prioritising cancer patients'. 'IT SHOULD HAVE NEVER GOT THIS FAR' The family had had enough, forking out £500 for a private MRI scan, in April 2023. Two days later, they were seen by a consultant and Sarah "could tell by her face" that it was bad news. Sarah recalls: 'The consultant said, 'This looks nasty, you should prepare yourselves. She also said it should 'never have got this far'." Isobel was then referred to Queen's, which told her to come in with a night bag. But she ended up having a 40-day hospital stay. On Friday May 12, a diagnosis was given to Isobel with her mum and dad there, following a biopsy. The 'fibroid' turned out to be a tumour on Isobel's womb. Sarah says: 'It wasn't like how you see it on the TV, when they hold your hand. She was told quickly, without compassion. 'They told us Isobel had cancer and it had spread to quite a few places.' Tumours were eventually found in her lungs, hip and kidneys. Isobel was blue-lighted to University College London Hospitals (UCLH) because she was so unwell, and a few days later, on Thursday May 18, the family were hit with another devastating blow. 13 13 The symptoms of sarcoma cancer The most common symptom of soft tissue sarcoma is a lump somewhere on the body. But this doesn't necessarily mean cancer - there are all sorts of reasons for lumps and swellings, but it must always be checked by a GP. The lump is usually found deep under the skin and might be felt before it can be seen. The lump is usually solid to the touch, painless and hard to move around under the skin. It will continue to grow and as it does, it can become painful. Other symptoms depend on where in the body the lump is. These can include: Tummy pain and constipation if there is a sarcoma near the tummy A cough that does not go away if there is a sarcoma near the lungs Source: NHS Sarah says: 'They told us it was incurable, and that they would do everything they could to prolong her life. Which, at the age of 19, is not what you want to hear. 'I didn't leave her side after that. I was just too scared, let down, devastated… just looking at her and crying. We all cried. 'She would say, 'Why me? Why couldn't I have gotten another cancer?' To go through that as a family, it was unbearable.' Sarcoma UK say more than 5,100 people are diagnosed with the disease each year. In a recent study, it was shown to take an average of almost seven weeks to diagnose in children. Sarcoma develops in the body's bones and soft tissues, such as muscles, fat, blood vessels, nerves, tendons, and joint linings. There are more than 100 subtypes, the two main ones being soft tissue and bone. 13 13 13 13 Cancer Research UK says: 'Soft tissue sarcoma incidence is unusual compared with most cancers because a sizeable proportion of cases occur in children and younger adults; however, the highest incidence rates are in older people.' Soft tissue sarcoma has a 45 per cent survival rate for 10 or more years. Devastated by the shocking survival statistics of sarcoma, Isobel knew she had to raise money in the hopes it would contribute to better outcomes for future patients. She raised £13,000 for Sarcoma UK at a charity ball, and her brother brother, Josh Allen, 24, has since ran the London Marathon, raising £27,000. Her friends are fundraising for Race For Life in July. FOUGHT 'TIL THE END Isobel started chemotherapy, but it was a means to extend her time with family, living life as normally as she could between the side effects. She returned to her work, even commuting to London two days a week, and her supportive friends would plan meet-ups around her chemotherapy schedule so she'd have the energy to join them. The nurses always laughed that she'd turn up to her chemotherapy in a new outfit, wig and full face of makeup - until she became too weak. Even when they told us about the tumour on her lung, I was sobbing and she said, 'Come on, mummy, it is what it is'. SarahIsobel's mum Eventually, the family got the news that there was nothing more that could be done. It was Christmas 2024, and they were advised to think about end-of-life care. Sarah says: 'We had some tough conversations with the consultant in January, who said it wasn't looking good. So Isobel knew the time was getting nearer. 'In March, she was struggling to breathe and they took her into hospital to drain fluid from her lungs - but it wasn't fluid, it was a tumour. 'That's when they said we need to get her home and make her comfortable. She wanted to be on the sofa, so we got her bedding down, and we actually all slept in the living room. 'She died the next day, on Wednesday at 10 to 3, at home with her family. "I just didn't realise it would be that quick. 'Isobel had protected us all along. She fought so hard to carry on as normal, even though the whole time, she had this deadly disease inside of her. 'Isobel was still talking about trying to go on holiday to Spain, she was ordering clothes two days before her death. She was just trying to live like any normal 19-year-old would. 'She was the one comforting us. Even when they told us about the tumour on her lung, I was sobbing and she said, 'Come on, mummy, it is what it is'.' Speaking of her legacy, Sarah notes a tattoo Isobel got towards the end of her life. It read 'Go Live Life'. 'We've had so many parents and other young girls message us from UCLH to say how she inspired them. 'Even her consultant wrote that she was an 'inspiring young lady'. One girl who rang the bell in December said 'Isobel changed my life'. 'She would light up daycare. She'd tell them not to stop living their life, and they were more than cancer.' A spokesperson for The London Independent Hospital, said: 'While, it would be inappropriate for us to discuss individual cases, we send our deepest condolences to the patient's family at this extremely difficult time. " All patients who are referred to us undergo a comprehensive and meticulous consultation to identify and diagnose their symptoms. Should further tests and scans be required to investigate their condition, then these are booked promptly either at our hospital or a referral is made to another appropriate facility.' Matthew Trainer, Chief Executive, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: 'I'd like to extend our sincere condolences to Isobel's family. We're extremely sorry for their loss.' 13
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
Epic journey in tribute to brother of Jeremy Hunt
Two friends are embarking on a journey in a classic car from the Great Wall of China to Paris in memory of the brother of former Chancellor Sir Jeremy Hunt. Surrey businessman Charlie Hunt died from spindle cell sarcoma, a rare cancer, in August 2023. His friends Ed Talbot, from Woking, and James Hall-Smith, from Marlborough, Wiltshire, set off on Saturday to navigate through 12 countries in a restored 1972 Lancia Fulvia as part of the Hero-Era Peking to Paris Motor Challenge. The pair, who are raising funds for charity Sarcoma UK, said it was their friend's "adventurous spirit and can-do attitude" that inspired them to take on the challenge. The trio had known each other since they were young men. Mr Talbot said: "Charlie's attitude in life, and while fighting this terrible disease, was only upbeat and positive. "He embraced everything life had to offer and brought a contagious energy to all he did." Mr Hall-Smith added: "He was a doer and went on a lot of expeditions himself such as climbing Machu Picchu in Peru. "He would have been very excited for us taking part in this event." The 9,319-mile (14,988km) rally crosses Asia and Europe and is expected to take six weeks. Charlie Hunt was diagnosed with sarcoma in 2020. He ran the London Marathon in 2022 with his elder brother, Jeremy, raising £22,000 for Sarcoma UK. He died in 2023, aged 53. Spindle cell sarcoma accounts for six out of every 10,000 cancer diagnoses in the UK. Kerry Reeves-Kneip, Sarcoma UK's director of fundraising and communications, said: "This challenge embodies Charlie's adventurous spirit and positive outlook that inspired all who knew him, while raising crucial funds for Sarcoma UK to advance research into rare cancers that claim too many lives too soon." Follow BBC Surrey on Facebook, on X. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Jeremy Hunt's younger brother dies from cancer 'One-stop' rare cancer service speeds diagnoses 'Never heard of it': Families speak out about rare cancer Sarcoma UK
BBC News
17-05-2025
- BBC News
Epic classic car journey in tribute to brother of Jeremy Hunt
Two friends are embarking on a journey in a classic car from the Great Wall of China to Paris in memory of the brother of former Chancellor Sir Jeremy businessman Charlie Hunt died from spindle cell sarcoma, a rare cancer, in August friends Ed Talbot, from Woking, and James Hall-Smith, from Marlborough, Wiltshire, set off on Saturday to navigate through 12 countries in a restored 1972 Lancia Fulvia as part of the Hero-Era Peking to Paris Motor pair, who are raising funds for charity Sarcoma UK, said it was their friend's "adventurous spirit and can-do attitude" that inspired them to take on the challenge. The trio had known each other since they were young Talbot said: "Charlie's attitude in life, and while fighting this terrible disease, was only upbeat and positive."He embraced everything life had to offer and brought a contagious energy to all he did."Mr Hall-Smith added: "He was a doer and went on a lot of expeditions himself such as climbing Machu Picchu in Peru."He would have been very excited for us taking part in this event." The 9,319-mile (14,988km) rally crosses Asia and Europe and is expected to take six Hunt was diagnosed with sarcoma in ran the London Marathon in 2022 with his elder brother, Jeremy, raising £22,000 for Sarcoma died in 2023, aged 53. Spindle cell sarcoma accounts for six out of every 10,000 cancer diagnoses in the Reeves-Kneip, Sarcoma UK's director of fundraising and communications, said: "This challenge embodies Charlie's adventurous spirit and positive outlook that inspired all who knew him, while raising crucial funds for Sarcoma UK to advance research into rare cancers that claim too many lives too soon."
