Radiation oncologists in Australia and New Zealand are urging more awareness of a rare cancer that arises in connective tissues in the body.
July is Sarcoma Awareness Month, and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists (RANZCR) wants the public to become more familiar with this group of cancers, which can affect bone or soft tissues and occur at all ages, including in children and young adults.
Sydney-based Prof. Sandra Turner is a founding member of Targeting Cancer, a RANZCR campaign to raise awareness of the vital role of radiation therapy in eradicating cancer and has 30 years’ experience treating patients with sarcoma as a consultant radiation oncologist.
“July is Sarcoma Awareness Month, and this gives us the opportunity to remind people about these types of cancer, which may occur in any part of the body from arms and legs to the pelvis, abdomen, chest, or head and neck region,” said Prof. Turner.
“Sarcomas are rare cancers, making up 1% of all cancers, and they are relatively more common in younger patients. If deep inside the body, they can present quite late and often be very large.
“They can appear as an unusual lump or bump that seems to be growing or was found by accident when a scan is done for another reason.
“Radiation therapy is an important part of sarcoma treatment and can be given before surgery to kill cells at the edge of the tumour, allowing the surgeon to remove it more easily, or after surgery to mop up cells that may have been left behind. Both of these approaches help cure the cancer.
“The advances in radiation therapy for treating patients with sarcoma have been ground-breaking. In the past, many suffering from the cancer would only have been cured by amputating the limb or other major disfiguring surgery.”
Ben Ley, 33, was treated for sarcoma by Prof. Turner and a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, and radiation therapists at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, after initially discovering a lump on his right thigh during a visit to his family doctor for the Covid-19 vaccine.
The Westpac manager, who has since made a full recovery, recently raised thousands of dollars to go towards research into treating cancers, including sarcoma.
“It was a shock when I discovered that I had sarcoma. I was otherwise completely unaware that this lump could be anything potentially serious, especially as someone who had not long turned 30,” said Ben.
“I started my treatment with a five-week course of radiation therapy followed by surgery in December 2021, which removed the tumour in full.
“I was very grateful to the specialist team, including Prof. Turner, who helped me beat sarcoma, and I wanted to give something back to say thank you.
“Since my diagnosis and treatment, I’ve raised over $12,000 by cycling throughout New South Wales and Victoria along with my dad, Martin, and several work colleagues as part of two separate initiatives: Tour de Cure and Move for a Cure.
“Cycling and mountain biking became important factors in my recovery, as was learning to use my leg again, which has been weakened due to the sarcoma treatment.
“Taking on these challenges allowed me to test my limits and overcome some of the mental hurdles of my diagnosis.
“The money raised from both cycling challenges has been donated to further cancer research to help more people overcome sarcoma and other cancers.”
Prof. Turner added: “Everyone in the team at Westmead Hospital that was involved in Ben’s treatment and recovery is very proud of how far he has come over the last three years since his tough diagnosis.
“His commitment to fundraising to help other young people who are battling with cancer is inspirational.”
