If you discover a lump that persists for more than a week, visit a medical provider. While it may be benign, there's a chance it's a sarcoma that requires prompt intervention. Since July is Sarcoma Awareness Month, now is the perfect time to review what these growths are and how to respond if you find one.

What's a Sarcoma?

A form of cancer, sarcomas develop in connective tissue, like muscles, tendons, and cartilage. The first sign of a soft tissue sarcoma is usually a painless lump. If left unchecked, this lump will grow until it pushes on the surrounding organs, nerves, and muscles.

Surgery is the most common and effective way to treat soft tissue sarcoma. As long as the cancerous cells haven't spread to other areas of the body, more aggressive interventions, like chemotherapy and radiation, aren't necessary.

What Should I Do If I Found a Sarcoma?

Call your medical provider immediately. The sooner you diagnose the issue, the sooner medical providers can treat it, and you can resume a normal life. Prompt treatment also ensures a better prognosis because the cancer doesn't have time to spread.

Sarcomas are usually diagnosed by biopsies. They can also show up on imaging tests, like CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds. If your medical provider suspects you have osteosarcoma, which affects the skeletal system, a bone scan may be necessary.

If you need a medical provider to examine a lump, turn to the team Hillside Family Medicine in Anchorage, AK. This family-owned and operated practice has cared for patients of all ages for over 20 years. Their state-of-the-art facility is equipped to biopsy lumps anywhere on the body and then send them to pathology for testing. Visit the website to get more information about their services, or call (907) 344-0200 to schedule an appointment.