By: Dr. Thomas Incledon
Why are metastasis and recurrence common with sarcoma?
Before we get into why metastasis and recurrence are so common in cases of sarcoma, let’s explain these terms.
Metastasis: Describes cancer cells that spread to a different part of the body from where it started.
Recurrence: Describes when cancer is found after treatment and after a period of time when the cancer can not be detected. This recurrence may or may not be found in the same place as the original cancer.
Now that you are familiar with these medical terms, we will answer the question of why they are a common occurrence in sarcoma patients.
Metastasis in sarcoma is likely linked to the fact that it occurs in tissues that are present in various parts of the body. Because the cells are not localized to a tumor or specific organ, it is common for sarcoma to develop in another part of the body. A common place for this to occur is the lungs, but sarcoma can also metastasize to the brain and other organs.
Recurrence is common with sarcoma because standard of care treatments – radiation, surgery, chemotherapy, and/or a combination of these strategies – often fail. Current technology of testing for cancer also plays a part in recurrence. Within 5 years of successful treatment, 95% of sarcoma patients have cancer again. In many cases, the levels of cancer in the body are too low to be detected during a PET/CT Scan, but cells are still present. So, the screen results indicate no evidence of disease, and the treatment is discontinued, then once they are retested months later, cancer is found. The other concern is that the cells in the recurrence may now be resistant, so redoing the initial treatment will likely be unsuccessful in treating the reoccurrence. Patients should be scanned every 3 to 6 months to help reduce recurrence rates with sarcoma.
So, what can we do? Dr. Tom Incledon, Founder and CEO of Causenta, has shared some important ideas:
- We need to try other treatments that have a higher success rate than standard of care strategies.
- At Causenta, we individualize sarcoma treatment based on markers in their body, germline genetics, the genetics of each patient’s cancer, and other health-related factors. This personalized approach needs to be more available to patients.
- With rare cancers like sarcoma, often the first strategy for treatment does not work; usually, the second strategy does. We do not know how different people will respond to treatments or how long the response will take. But, we do know that if you do not see a response, you have to change tactics to trigger one. At Causenta, our team works together to customize a plan that will help you fight sarcoma and improve your overall health.
- Within one person the cancer cells may be different. The makeup of your sarcoma may have characteristics of lung cancer, so lung cancer drugs might be a better solution for you than traditional sarcoma treatments. Ask your doctor how he will treat the sarcoma in your body.
- Particularly in pediatric cases, parents have so much fear for their child that they will see something online for a natural treatment and try it. However, you must be careful. Many people are unaware that what they find online can interfere with the cancer treatment they are receiving.
For more information on how Causenta treats rare sarcoma cancers, schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation today.
About the Author
Dr. Thomas is the founder and CEO of Causenta Wellness and the Causenta Cancer Treatment Center in Arizona. From working with the NFL, MLB, MMA, World Class athletes, and even the White House, his reputation for personalized medicine and cutting-edge technologies has put him on the map, caring for some of the most powerful people in the world, making him one of the most sought-after healthcare professionals of all time.
