Leg sarcoma is one of the most common forms of sarcoma found in humans. Up to 70% of this type of cancer is due to damage to the limbs. In some, the localization area is the foot, the thigh is often found, although other areas may be affected. In the majority of cases, the disease is asymmetric, that is, malignant processes occur in only one leg.
general information
Sarcoma is a malignant tumor, the development mechanism of which, the nuances of the formation and treatment features have attracted the attention of specialists for a long time. The disease belongs to the category of non-epithelial, most often it affects the limbs. There is a likelihood of a primary or secondary pathological process. In some cases, the cause of sarcoma is metastases that spread from an earlier focus of atypical cell development. From statistics, it is known that with lesions of the limbs, the articular regions are most often affected first: the hip joint and knees.
The nuances of hips
Among other cases of malignant diseases, femoral sarcoma is often found. What kind of disease is this can best be explained by an oncologist. At first, the process is characterized by a complete absence of symptoms, therefore, the identification of femoral sarcoma at the initial stage is difficult. In fact, this is a bone node. An alternative option for growth is along the hip bone. Muscle masses hide pathological processes, and they usually attract attention only when the size of the tumor becomes very large, which provokes a protrusion of soft structures.
As the sarcoma grows, it compresses the nerve endings located in this area. Since this leads to rather severe pain, traditional medicine recommends using hemlock for cancer - it is believed that this herb helps to relieve pain and cure the root cause. In fact, discomfort and pain, especially pronounced when moving, is a reason to get to the doctor as soon as possible and begin full treatment in accordance with the latest medical developments.
Progression
As sarcoma grows, atypical cells can spread to the hip joint or knee. Joint sarcoma is called chondroosteosarcoma. The patient loses the ability to move normally, gradually the ability to bend the leg completely disappears. The limb constantly hurts, the patient is limping. Unpleasant sensations become stronger during a night's rest.
A lot of effort and money was spent by experts to establish what this disease is. Sarcoma, as you know, often affects the soft tissues, over time disrupts the circulatory system, as it compresses the blood vessels. The disease is quite common, so scientists have a large base of observations. Unfortunately, one cannot say yet that it was possible to identify all the causes of the pathology and methods of its treatment, symptoms and manifestations. It is known that stagnation in the lower areas of a sore foot may indicate sarcoma. Sometimes with a malignant neoplasm, for the first time, the patient goes to the clinic complaining of a constant feeling of a cold leg. The skin is pale, the leg swells, the appearance of trophic ulcers.
Localization - foot
This form of malignant pathology is also quite common. The osteogenic type usually manifests itself with a slight protrusion. When confirming the diagnosis at the reception, the doctor will surely explain to the patient what sarcoma is and how it manifests itself: it has been established that ulcerated hard-to-heal areas, pain in any movements and skin atrophy indicate a malignant foot disease. The peculiarity of the development of malignant neoplasms in the foot is due to the abundance of ligaments, nerve fibers, and vessels in this part of the body. This leads to the rapid spread of atypical cells to the soft tissues.
Toe sarcoma, according to statistics, an osteogenic form of the disease, soft tissue damage - all these forms of cancer appear quite quickly, which means that the prognosis is better on average if the patient, at the first symptom, sought help and managed to make an accurate diagnosis. Gradually, the disease spreads to the ankle joint. This progress indicates severe pain and mobility limitations. Damage to the foot and soft tissues is accompanied by a change in skin tone and numerous subcutaneous hematomas. Non-healing ulcers form. The disease is characterized by an early severe pain syndrome. Its intensity increases with the growth of the neoplasm.
The nuances of manifestations
Finding out what sarcoma is and how it manifests itself, scientists have found that with the osteogenic form of the disease, at first there are practically no symptoms. As a rule, the disease is detected when the neoplasm is already large enough so that it can be seen visually. Severe pain and gait changes, impaired freedom of movement, can indicate sarcoma. In some patients, the progress of the condition is accompanied by fever and fever, weight loss. The patient quickly gets tired. Possible tendency to fractures. Diseases are characterized by the active spread of metastases throughout the body.
Therapy: Basic Information
Radiation therapy for foot cancer is accompanied by chemotherapy, but both of these approaches are considered secondary: the main event is surgical. Operating the patient with the most modern technologies in an impressive percentage of cases allows you to save organs. Better predictions are for those who went to the hospital at an early stage, and the diagnosis was made quickly and accurately. With the prevalence of the process, urgent amputation is required, after which studies are carried out to detect metastases. If any are identified, a course of radiation and drug therapy is prescribed.
Often, chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer are prescribed even before the operation. The main objective of these measures is to stabilize the condition, reduce the likelihood of the formation of metastases. The use of radiotherapy after surgery reduces the risk of relapse.
Hip sore: nuances of the case
Leg sarcoma most commonly affects the femur. The progress of the disease in most cases is relatively slow, but does not manifest itself in symptoms. If a malignant neoplasm is suspected, the patient is sent for a biopsy. Primary suspicion is possible on the basis of patient complaints and feeling of the affected area. There are many cases when the disease was detected at an early stage, which significantly improved the prognosis of the case.
Nevertheless, there is still a high frequency of cases when patients go to the clinic with stage 4 sarcoma. At this stage, it is extremely difficult to achieve a complete cure, and the main task of doctors is to provide the patient with a maximum long life while maintaining its quality, as much as possible, given the current technology. The prognosis for each specific case is determined by the size of the tumor and the area of its localization, the stage of the disease and the presence, prevalence of metastases. In many respects, survival depends on the age of the patient.
Hip Cancer
From the statistics on oncology treatment in Moscow and other large cities of Russia, as well as from the clinical practice of Israeli, German doctors and specialists from other powers, we can conclude that more often this form of cancer is observed in men, but among the female half of humanity cases are less common . Dependence on age was not revealed: a hip lesion can appear in any person. The percentage of poor quality, the probability of spreading to other organs is extremely high. The tumor progresses quite quickly. To identify it in the first stage is extremely problematic. Scientists have found that the first sign of bone sarcoma of this form is short-term fever, but patients usually do not pay attention to it; The reason to come to the clinic is prolonged pain, discomfort in the movements that appear as the condition worsens.
With the superficial location of the neoplasm, it is possible to form a relatively small protruding area against the background of thinning of the skin. The neoplasm compresses structures nearby, interfering with normal functioning. Soreness worries not only in the area of tumor localization, but also in the thigh and inguinal areas.
Localization Forms
Possible sarcoma of the leg in one of two forms: osteogenic or affecting soft tissues. In violation of the integrity of the soft tissues, the definition of the disease usually does not pose serious difficulties - the neoplasm is almost immediately noticeable even with the naked eye. The area of the tumor attracts attention with hemorrhages, wounds, an abnormal shade of the skin. The supporting function of the foot is inhibited, a person cannot move normally.
The osteogenic form of the disease affects the bone and is located deeply, although in some cases, soon after the onset of the progress of the condition, a tumor can be seen with the naked eye. The need for a diagnosis is indicated by pain in the leg and limitation of mobility. Rapid progression of the disease is possible with the spread of atypical cells into the blood vessels, nervous system and ligaments located close to the foot bones.
Shin cancer
In this form, leg sarcoma disrupts primarily the functionality of the soft tissues. This is a non-epithelial process, usually localized in the back of the leg. At first, it is almost impossible to notice the disease, since the tumor is hidden by the calf muscle. If localization is the shin in front, the progress of the disease is accompanied by the formation of a visually visible protrusion, which simplifies the timely detection of pathology. In this area, the shade and structure of the skin is soon changing.
With the tibial form, the tibia is the first to suffer. Tumors tend to spread, violate the integrity of the connective interosseous membrane. This can cause a fracture. As the neoplasm develops, nerve fibers and vessels nearby are compressed, which causes pain. Sensations cover the foot, fingers. Skin trophy is disturbed, puffiness worries.
Where did the trouble come from?
Several causes of sarcoma are known: radiation exposure, the influence of carcinogens - asbestos, preservatives, and other dangerous and toxic compounds. In some cases, cancer is explained by a hereditary factor or previous diseases of the skeletal system. Currently, scientists can not say with confidence that they managed to determine the complete list of causes of sarcoma. Presumably, a number of factors have yet to be identified, and research in this area is ongoing.
Clarification
Diagnosis of sarcoma involves a comprehensive study of the patient's condition. First, tissue samples are taken for histological examination. Biopsy results accurately assess whether tissue malignancy occurs. A lot of useful information can be obtained from an x-ray of the diseased area, osteoscintigraphy. Mandatory diagnostic steps are CT and MRI.
In the course of these instrumental analyzes, it is possible to determine the exact localization of the neoplasm, its dimensions. To clarify the state of the circulatory system in the affected area, angiography is prescribed.
Osteogenic sarcoma: features
This form of the disease has been attracting the attention of prominent scientists and doctors all over the world for several years. Clinics in our country will not be an exception: treatment of oncology in Moscow in leading research institutes allows us to determine more accurate nuances of the disease, especially its progress, and, therefore, the specificity of the therapeutic course. It has been established that with the osteogenic form, atypical cells are formed by bone tissue, and it is they that they generate in the process of life. Perhaps the presence of chondroblastic components or the predominance of fibroblastic. It is customary to talk about sclerotic, osteolytic and mixed types of the disease. In any of the forms, the pathology is especially malignant, rapidly develops and forms metastases early.
Osteogenic sarcoma is a designation first applied in 1920. The term is written by James Jung.
Statistics and distribution nuances
Up to 65% of patients with osteogenic sarcoma are persons belonging to the age group of 10-30 years. A higher likelihood of developing atypical cells by the completion of puberty. The incidence among men is twice as high as that characteristic of women. The main area of localization is tubular long bones. About one in five cases is a lesion of short or flat bones. Legs suffer more than hands six times. Up to 80% of all cases fall on your knees.
Among the most common areas, it is worth noting the thigh, tibia, humerus, pelvis, tibia, shoulder girdle, elbow (listing is given as the occurrence decreases). Very rarely, the disease is observed in the radial bone - a giant cell tumor is more characteristic for this area . There are practically no cases where atypical cells would be localized in the patella.
Localization and features
Among children, there is a chance of skull damage, but at an older age, sarcoma in this area is practically not found. In old age there is a risk of disfiguring dystrophy of the skeletal system. In the long tubular bone, atypical cells are most often located in the meta-epiphyseal end, and before synostosis, in the metaphysis. If the localization is the femur, then the distal end often suffers, but every tenth case occurs in the diaphysis. In the tibia, a malignant tumor is usually formed in the medial condyle of the proximal region. In the brachial - rough areas of the deltoid muscle.
Pathology development
In an impressive percentage of cases, it is not possible to determine the time of onset of the disease. As a rule, the patient first notices dull soreness in the articular region; the origin of the syndrome is unclear. Studies show that this is often due to damage to the metaphysical department. There is no effusion in the joint, soreness is localized in the joint, often against the background of previous injuries.
Gradually, the tumor progresses, neighboring tissues are affected by atypical cells, the pain becomes stronger. In studies, you can see a noticeable increase in the thickness of the metadiaphyseal bone. Tissues become pasty, skin venous mesh is clearly visible. Articular contracture is observed, the patient is severely limping, palpation is accompanied by severe pain. Often, it is at this stage that a person seriously thinks about his condition. Many, however, do not turn to the classical clinic, but to the healers, recommending using hemlock for cancer. This leads to a significant loss of time.
Gradually, pain becomes stronger at night, analgesic drugs do not help. Plaster casting does not relieve pain. The neoplasm is growing rapidly, it covers tissues nearby, fills the canal of the spinal cord and infiltrates muscle fibers. Osteogenic sarcoma is prone to hematogenous metastases. Most often, these are determined in the respiratory system and the brain. Extremely rarely metastasis covers the bones.
X-ray study: the nuances
At the initial stage, the picture shows osteoporosis, smearing of the neoplasm contours. The disease is localized in the metaphysis and does not extend beyond it. Gradually, the development of a defect in bone tissue is observed. Osteoblastic, proliferative processes are possible. The periosteum exfoliates, swells, takes the form of a spindle or a visor.
In childhood, the likelihood of acicular periostitis is higher. This is a condition in which osteoblasts generate bone tissue in the circulatory system at right angles to the cortical layer. The process is accompanied by the formation of spicules. Differential diagnosis is designed to distinguish between osteoblastoclastoma, granuloma, cartilage exostosis and chondrosarcoma.
Therapeutic approach
Of course, with sarcoma, surgery is the main step in treating a patient. Before surgery, chemical treatment is prescribed in order to prevent the development and suppress the already formed microscopic metastases, if any or are suspected in the lungs. Chemotherapy is also aimed at reducing the size of the primary focus of the disease. Based on the progress of the condition, it is determined how the tumor reacts to various chemical agents - this helps to choose the appropriate long-term program.
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Surgery with organ preservation is not possible if the tumor has affected a bundle of nerves and blood vessels, if a pathological fracture is detected. It will not be possible to preserve the limb with large dimensions of the malignant area and infiltration into soft tissues. The presence of metastases is not a contraindication to sparing surgery. If large metastases are detected in the respiratory system, another operation is prescribed to remove them.
The nuances of treatment
Chemical treatment after surgery is prescribed based on the results of the use of drugs before surgery. Radiation treatment in most cases shows too low effectiveness. This is due to the specificity of atypical cells: with osteogenic sarcoma, sensitivity to ionizing radiation is rather low. Irradiation is prescribed to the patient if it is not possible to carry out the operation.
What to count on?
The prognosis of life with sarcoma is largely determined by the stage at which the patient sought help, as well as the methods used for treatment. Recently, the latest neoadjuvant, adjuvant chemical treatments, radiotherapy are common. In combination with the correct operation, this helps to achieve a high survival rate. Currently, there is a significantly higher probability of survival for patients with metastases in the respiratory system.
Radical gentle surgery is indicated on average in 80% of cases. Chemotherapy before and after surgery, qualified surgery - this complex helps to achieve the best result. With a localized form, five-year survival is estimated at 70% or even higher. With a high sensitivity of the tumor to medications, the survival rate reaches 90.