Diagnosed with sarcoma? Let's share

Because sarcomas are rare, I would like to start a conversation to help connect people living with sarcoma or caring for someone with sarcoma.

As you know, sarcoma is the general term for a broad group of cancers that begin in the bones and in the connective or soft tissues (soft tissue sarcoma). There are many different types and sub-types of sarcomas, for example: angiosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, fibrosarcoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), Kaposi's sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, liposarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, osteosarcoma, pleomorphic sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, synovial sarcoma and more.

Let's get to know one another. Why not start by introducing yourself? What type of sarcoma have you been diagnosed with?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Sarcoma Support Group.

Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

Hi @me67 @udderplace @brinys @deborahe @jeffk @Laydeewinx @sheila2005 @funkynotes @zshivaughn @jacobito @swstar,
I'd like to invite you to the new discussion group for people living with sarcoma. What type of sarcoma have you been diagnosed with? Are you currently in treatment or finished with treatment?

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I was diagnosed with a malignant pleomorphic sarcoma in my left leg and had surgery and a skin graft at end of March/ middle of April. Reluctantly beginning radiation therapy next week.

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Profile picture for rhood1961 @rhood1961

I was diagnosed at the end of February 2023. I had my femur, knee replaced. I also had part of my tibia redone.
I have had a lot of post operative issues.
I will admit that I am having mental and emotional issues with my new norm. I'm having trouble dealing with what my life will be from now on
I've always been the one people leaned on, it's hard for me to now realize that I have to lean on people. That I'm not the same person. That there are both physical and mental changes in my life.
I know I need help. That I need to talk to someone. I'm just not sure who.

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Thanks for the virtual hug.
It's surprising how much I need the virtual and real ones these days

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Profile picture for rhood1961 @rhood1961

I was diagnosed at the end of February 2023. I had my femur, knee replaced. I also had part of my tibia redone.
I have had a lot of post operative issues.
I will admit that I am having mental and emotional issues with my new norm. I'm having trouble dealing with what my life will be from now on
I've always been the one people leaned on, it's hard for me to now realize that I have to lean on people. That I'm not the same person. That there are both physical and mental changes in my life.
I know I need help. That I need to talk to someone. I'm just not sure who.

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I've had same surgery and 3 spinal fusions now have to see oncologist for endometrial cancer. Hoping my body don't become weaker than what it is🙏🙏🙏

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I was diagnosed at the end of February 2023. I had my femur, knee replaced. I also had part of my tibia redone.
I have had a lot of post operative issues.
I will admit that I am having mental and emotional issues with my new norm. I'm having trouble dealing with what my life will be from now on
I've always been the one people leaned on, it's hard for me to now realize that I have to lean on people. That I'm not the same person. That there are both physical and mental changes in my life.
I know I need help. That I need to talk to someone. I'm just not sure who.

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Anyone on Trabectadin (Yondelis) chemo for their sarcoma?

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Profile picture for Anna @eyrar

Hi! I in my early 20s and being treated for sarcoma at Mayo (a tenosynovial giant cell tumor). It’s certainly overwhelming, so I’m happy to have found this forum!

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Hey Anna, you might also wish to follow the
- Adolescent & Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Support Group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/adolescent-young-adult-aya-cancer/

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Profile picture for chris1848 @chris1848

It's been just over a year since I finished treatment for Ewings Sarcoma and they said there was no evidence of disease. I'm still constantly anxious that it's going to come back. Especially since with my age group and location, the overall 5-year rate was relatively low with a significant chance of recurrence. I remember when they initially found it I could not stop overanalyzing and researching. I spent countless hours looking at studies and articles but all that did was make me more anxious. How do you deal with all the anxiety?

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@chris1848, worrying about cancer returning can drive one crazy, especially when looking at statistical odds and over-analyzing. Sounds like it might be time to focus on NED (no evidence of disease).

It can also help to talk with others. You might appreciate this discussion:
- Ewing's Sarcoma: Where are you in your journey? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ewings-sarcoma-1/

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Profile picture for lb21ann @lb21ann

I went to a general surgeon for a mass/bump on the back of my upper left shoulder. He believed it to be a harmless lipoma & it was elective to remove it. I chose to remove & he ordered an ultrasound. It was removed as outpatient. The pathology took extra time yo come back. The doctors front desk staff called telling me it was a benign lipoma sarcoma & not to Google it due to it would scare me. They said he got it all but I would need to return every 6 months for 2 years. I returned February 2023. He stopped in the room for a short time and took a quick look. I don’t understand the term benign lipoma sarcoma. I assume it means it’s not cancerous. But it’s a sarcoma? Any thoughts on the diagnosis would be appreciated. Thank you

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@lb21ann, I not a doctor, but my understanding that a lipoma is a non cancerous (benign) lump that forms due to an overgrowth of fat cells. Lipomas are not cancer. Cancerous tumours of the fat cells are called liposarcomas.

It sounds like you might need to get clarification if you have a lipoma or lipsarcoma. Or a second opinion.

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Profile picture for marysue1953 @marysue1953

Rhabdomyosarcoma Cancer in right thigh. Has anyone out there had this type?

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Hi @marysue1953, I believe @mp01 also has the same type of sarcoma - rhabdomyosarcoma.

When were you diagnosed? What treatments?

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Profile picture for Terriebikes @bicycle3

Hard part for me is lack of appetite and loss of taste and fatigue overtakes my days.

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Hi @bicycle3, you were on my mind today and I was wondering how you are doing. How is chemo going and managing the side effects of loss of taste and fatigue?

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