Sarcoma refers to several cancers that start in the body’s connective tissues. This includes bones, muscles, tendons, cartilage, fat and blood vessels.
Osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma both develop in the bones, while rhabdomyosarcoma (muscles), liposarcoma (fat cells) and leiomyosarcoma (soft muscles) are examples of soft tissue sarcomas.
Osteosarcoma
Symptoms
Symptoms in children who may have bone sarcoma include pain, swelling, fractures and limited range of motion.
Symptoms of children with soft tissue sarcomas include lumps, swelling, pain, limited range of movement, weight loss and fatigue.
Treatment
Surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and targeted therapy are mainly used to treat sarcoma.
Age range
Rhabdomyosarcoma is most common in younger children, particularly those under 10 years old. It peaks between the ages of 2 and 6. Osteosarcoma typically affects adolescents during growth spurts between the ages 10-20.
Ewing sarcoma is often seen in older children and teenagers, also between 10-20 years of age. Other soft tissue sarcomas, such as synovial sarcoma, are rare in very young children but more frequent in adolescents and young adults.
Sarcoma stories
Modernising sarcoma therapies: Right treatment, right time
06/04/2022
The Kids’ Cancer Project is funding powerful research by Dr Emmy Fleuren. She’s bringing sarcoma treatment into the future.
A new international trial for Ewing sarcoma patients
27/01/2022
An exciting new international clinical trial for patients diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma.
World-first clinical trial for sarcoma
26/03/2021
Sydney researchers are testing whether an existing medication could be repurposed to treat sarcoma.