We are wrapping up our #SarcomaAwareness campaign. Thanks to all who sent in questions and to the experts who took time to answer them 🌻
Today we are looking at questions often posed at the time of diagnosis.
Q1. What are the most common treatment options for sarcoma?
Today we are looking at questions often posed at the time of diagnosis.
Q1. What are the most common treatment options for sarcoma?
This depends on
🔹The stage of the cancer (if it has spread and to what body parts)
🔹The grade (how quickly the cancer cells grow)
🔹The particular type of sarcoma
Surgery alone will remove the cancer and surrounding margins
🔹The stage of the cancer (if it has spread and to what body parts)
🔹The grade (how quickly the cancer cells grow)
🔹The particular type of sarcoma
Surgery alone will remove the cancer and surrounding margins
Radiotherapy is often used before surgery or after surgery
Chemotherapy is often used either before or after surgery
Sometimes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are combined
Immunotherapy is not a standard of care currently for sarcoma treatment
Chemotherapy is often used either before or after surgery
Sometimes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy are combined
Immunotherapy is not a standard of care currently for sarcoma treatment
Q2. What are the most common side effects?
This varies greatly, depending on your prescribed treatment. Your team will discuss this in detail with you and help you to understand short and longer term side effects, methods to minimise these or if they can be avoided
This varies greatly, depending on your prescribed treatment. Your team will discuss this in detail with you and help you to understand short and longer term side effects, methods to minimise these or if they can be avoided
Q3. Are there clinical trials?
Clinical trials are available that look at causes, diagnosis and treatments of sarcoma.
The main aim of a clinical trial of treatments, is to test to see if they are safe and effective.
This might improve survival chances.
Clinical trials are available that look at causes, diagnosis and treatments of sarcoma.
The main aim of a clinical trial of treatments, is to test to see if they are safe and effective.
This might improve survival chances.
There are no open trials in Ireland at the moment, and it can sometimes be difficult to access trials overseas.
Some studies are not open for those traveling from overseas, and accessing these treatments can be very expensive.
Some studies are not open for those traveling from overseas, and accessing these treatments can be very expensive.
It is important to consider clinical trials and your team will discuss any trial options with you.
Q4. What are the goals of treatment?
Usually goals are to either
Q4. What are the goals of treatment?
Usually goals are to either
🔹Eradicate cancer and prevent its recurrence
🔹If it is not possible to eradicate- aiming to prolong survival, reduce or control the cancer growth, relieve symptoms of cancer and improve quality of life
🔹If it is not possible to eradicate- aiming to prolong survival, reduce or control the cancer growth, relieve symptoms of cancer and improve quality of life
Q5. Can I continue to exercise?
Short answer- yes!
Exercise and physical activity are an important part of cancer care.
Exercise and movement can help people thrive during and after treatment phases.
Short answer- yes!
Exercise and physical activity are an important part of cancer care.
Exercise and movement can help people thrive during and after treatment phases.
Some reports show that it can also improve quality of life and tolerance of treatment
It is important to discuss limits with your team and physiotherapist as certain activities may not be advised due to your treatment or in recovery from certain treatments
It is important to discuss limits with your team and physiotherapist as certain activities may not be advised due to your treatment or in recovery from certain treatments
Q6. Will this affect my fertility?
Short answer- maybe!
Fertility can be decreased by radiation therapy that involves the ovaries or testes
Chemotherapy can negatively impact sperm and egg production
Short answer- maybe!
Fertility can be decreased by radiation therapy that involves the ovaries or testes
Chemotherapy can negatively impact sperm and egg production
Fertility preservation is an essential aspect of patient care and should be discussed with every person at time of diagnosis
Fertility preservation options will differ for many different reasons and need to be discussed on an individual level.
Fertility preservation options will differ for many different reasons and need to be discussed on an individual level.
#ayacsm #ayacancer @AYA_Cancer_IE @IrishSarcoma @SarcomaIreland @IrishCancerSoc #sarcomaawarenessmonth
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