Sarcoma

Personalised treatments designed to fight cancer while preserving quality of life.

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What is Sarcoma?

Sarcomas are a rare and diverse group of cancers that begin in bones or soft tissues such as muscles, fat, nerves, fibrous tissues, and blood vessels. They can develop in any part of the body, from the arms and legs to the chest and abdomen. Because of their complexity, sarcomas often require highly specialised diagnosis and treatment at a comprehensive cancer centre.

How Common is Sarcoma in Malaysia?

Sarcomas are uncommon, making up less than 1% of all cancers worldwide. In Malaysia:

A review of the National Cancer Registry (2007–2011) recorded 434 cases of soft tissue sarcomas, or about 0.4% of all cancers
It is estimated that Malaysia sees just over 200 new sarcoma cases each year
Many patients present late: about 40% are diagnosed at Stage 4, and another 20% at Stage 3

Because sarcomas are rare and often aggressive, early detection and timely referral to an oncology specialist can greatly improve outcomes.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Sarcoma?

Sarcoma symptoms can vary depending on location and type, but common signs include:

Any persistent lump or swelling should be checked by a doctor, especially if it is growing.

How is Sarcoma Diagnosed?

A thorough diagnosis usually involves:

Physical examination to check swelling and mobility
Imaging tests such as X-ray, CT, MRI or PET scan
Biopsy (needle or surgical) to confirm sarcoma type
Molecular and genetic testing to guide targeted therapy

Because of the wide variety of sarcoma subtypes, a precise diagnosis is crucial in planning treatment.

What are the Types of Sarcoma?

Sarcomas are divided into two broad groups:

Bone Sarcomas

Osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Giant cell tumours

Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Liposarcoma, Leiomyosarcoma, Rhabdomyosarcoma, Angiosarcoma, Synovial sarcoma

Other Rare Subtypes

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours, Kaposi sarcoma

What are the Stages of Sarcoma?

Sarcoma staging is based on tumour size, grade (how abnormal the cancer cells look), and spread:

Stage I

Localised, low-grade sarcoma

Stage II–III

Larger or higher-grade sarcoma with greater risk of recurrence

Stage IV

Sarcoma has spread to distant organs such as the lungs or liver

What are Sarcoma Treatments?

Treatment depends on sarcoma type, stage, and location. Common approaches include:

Surgery

Limb-sparing surgery: Removes the tumour while preserving limb function.

Amputation: Rare, only when limb-sparing is not possible.

Reconstructive surgery: May involve grafts, prostheses, or rotationplasty to restore mobility.

Survival & Outcomes in Malaysia

Sarcoma outcomes depend on subtype, grade, and how early treatment is started.

A Malaysian review of osteosarcoma patients at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia found a 5-year survival rate of 48.9%, with median survival of 47.8 months
In a small case series of head & neck soft tissue sarcomas, 5-year survival was 35.7%, with median overall survival of ~2 years
General oncology data (regional) show overall sarcoma 5-year survival at ~65%, with survival for localised disease often exceeding 80%

These numbers should be interpreted cautiously: outcomes vary widely by subtype, and modern treatments may improve survival compared to older studies.

Living with Sarcoma

Recovery and survivorship care are an important part of treatment:

Rehabilitation & physiotherapy help restore strength and mobility after surgery
Regular monitoring with scans is essential to detect recurrence early
Nutritional and lifestyle support can aid energy levels and healing
Emotional and psychological care through counselling, support groups, and psycho-oncology services provides resilience for patients and families

At OncoCare Malaysia, we believe in whole-person care, walking with patients and caregivers through every step of the journey.

Meet Our Doctors

At OncoCare Malaysia, our multidisciplinary team brings together oncologists, orthopaedic surgeons, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, specialised oncology nurses, physiotherapists, and psycho-oncology counsellors. With expertise in sarcomas and rare cancers, they work closely to deliver comprehensive, personalised treatment plans for every patient.