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While sarcomas present unique challenges in detection, treatment, and prevention, ongoing research and advocacy are paving the way for better outcomes.
July is Sarcoma and Bone Cancer Awareness Month, a time to reflect on and draw attention to a group of cancers that impact all ages and present unique challenges for clinicians and patients alike. Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer in adults—though more common in pediatrics—that arises in bones or soft connective tissues, such as muscles, nerves, cartilage, and blood vessels. It can metastasize to any organ in the body. Sarcomas are typically classified into 2 main categories: soft tissue sarcomas and bone sarcomas.
Soft tissue sarcoma is the more common variety, although still rare in adults. According to the American Cancer Society, about 13,520 adults and children will be diagnosed and over 5000 individuals are expected to die from the disease in 2025.
Most bone cancers are either osteosarcoma or Ewing sarcoma. About 1000 new cases of osteosarcoma are diagnosed each year in the US, typically in the fast-growing arm and leg bones of children and teens. These tumors result from overproduction of abnormal osteoblasts, the cells that repair and grow new bones. Ewing sarcoma, with only about 200 new diagnoses each year, is more common in the pelvis, chest wall, and the middle of leg bones. These tumors are associated with chromosomal mutations and may occasionally arise in tissues outside of bones. Despite being tied to chromosomes, Ewing sarcoma is not inherited. Instead, the mutation occurs sporadically during a person’s development and is not passed down from their parents.
Although there are a few risk factors associated with sarcoma, most cases have no known cause, and as such, no prevention measures currently exist. There are only a handful of known risk factors, including HIV and herpes infections—which may contribute to the development of Kaposi sarcoma—and certain genetic conditions—such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome and neurofibromatosis type 1—that are associated with higher risk of sarcoma. Patients who previously received radiation therapy are also at higher risk of soft tissue sarcoma, which should be factored into care and monitoring for cancer survivors.
Common symptoms of sarcoma, including lumps and bone pain, are often mistaken for more common conditions. This, in combination with the lack of screening options, means sarcoma often goes undetected until later stages. Once the tumor is detected through X-ray, CT, MRI, or other imaging, a biopsy is needed to determine if it is cancerous or benign.
Each type of sarcoma is treated differently, but surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation are all common treatment options. For example, patients with osteosarcoma typically receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy to shrink their tumor, limb-sparing surgery or amputation to remove remaining cancer cells from the bone, and adjuvant chemotherapy to reduce the chance of recurrence. Ewing sarcoma is treated similarly, but often includes the addition of radiation, which is particularly effective for this variety of sarcoma.
Without clear targets for prevention and screening, robust treatment options and sarcoma care programs are vital. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) partnered with the Sarcoma Foundation of America (SFA) to develop resources that educate physicians, patients, and their families on sarcoma treatment. Browse the collection of sarcoma resources, including blogs, podcasts, infographics, and webinars.
Rare cancers often lack the attention and funding of more common diseases. Thanks to persistent advocacy and research efforts, however, treatment and detection of sarcoma have made strides in recent years.
One of the challenges of sarcoma is the diversity of tumors that fall under the sarcoma umbrella. Progress in genomic testing is allowing researchers and physicians to better classify tumor types and categorize patients’ diseases with greater specificity.
Clinical trials are also underway to test immunotherapy treatments for bone sarcomas. For example, immune checkpoint inhibitors and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, both of which harness the immune system to attack cancer cells, are in early stages of testing to treat osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma.
Each July, the SFA organizes events for Sarcoma Awareness Month to promote education and get stakeholders involved in advocacy work. To participate in their 2025 campaign, wear yellow on July 9 and share photos on social media, join SFA on Capitol Hill on July 17-19 for their advocacy weekend, and display yellow lights in your home or business on July 25 to “light up for sarcoma.”
While sarcomas present unique challenges in detection, treatment, and prevention, ongoing research and advocacy are paving the way for better outcomes. Advances in genomic testing and immunotherapy offer hope for more precise and effective treatments, while awareness campaigns help ensure that patients, families, and health care providers are better informed and supported. By promoting sarcoma awareness and utilizing educational resources this July and beyond, we can help amplify the voices of those affected and contribute to a future where sarcoma is better understood, treated, and ultimately cured.
