The treatment for sarcoma varies depending on the stage of the disease. Here is a general overview of treatment options for different stages of sarcoma:
Stage I Sarcoma: Surgery: The primary treatment for stage I sarcoma is surgical removal of the tumor with clear margins. This aims to completely eliminate the cancerous cells. In some cases, radiation therapy may be recommended after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence.
Stage II Sarcoma: Surgery: Similar to stage I, surgery to remove the tumor with clear margins is the primary treatment. In some cases, radiation therapy may be given before or after surgery to maximize the chances of complete tumor removal and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Stage III Sarcoma:
Surgery: Surgical removal of the tumor is still the primary treatment, but in stage III, the tumor may be larger and involve nearby tissues. Extensive surgery may be required, possibly including the removal of surrounding lymph nodes or affected structures.
Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy may be given before or after surgery to shrink the tumor, improve the chances of complete removal, and reduce the risk of recurrence.
Chemotherapy: In some cases, chemotherapy may be recommended before or after surgery to help shrink the tumor and target any cancer cells that may have spread to other parts of the body.
Stage IV Sarcoma (Metastatic Sarcoma): Treatment for stage IV sarcoma aims to control the disease, relieve symptoms, and improve the patient’s quality of life. It may involve a combination of the following:
Systemic therapy: Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy may be used to target and kill cancer cells throughout the body.
Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be considered to remove isolated metastatic tumors or to relieve symptoms caused by the tumor.
Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy may be used to alleviate pain or other symptoms caused by metastatic tumors.
Clinical trials: Participation in clinical trials may be an option for stage IV sarcoma patients to access experimental treatments and contribute to the development of new therapies.