Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that affects the connective tissues of the body, such as those that form muscle, fat, blood vessels, and cartilage. The prognosis for sarcoma depends on a variety of factors, including the type and stage of the cancer, the patient's age and overall health, and the location of the tumor.
While sarcoma is generally considered a difficult cancer to treat, some people do survive sarcoma. For example, the survival rate for localized sarcoma—meaning the cancer is contained within the original site of the tumor—can be as high as 70 to 80 percent. This is because localized sarcoma is often more easily treated with surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
However, the survival rate for advanced sarcoma is much lower. Advanced sarcoma is cancer that has spread beyond the original site, making it more difficult to treat. In these cases, the 5-year survival rate is only about 20 to 30 percent.
Treatment options for advanced sarcoma include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. The treatment plan will depend on the type and location of the sarcoma, the patient's age and overall health, and any other medical conditions the patient may have.
In some cases, a combination of treatments may be necessary. For example, a patient may need to undergo surgery to remove the tumor, followed by radiation and/or chemotherapy to destroy any remaining cancer cells.
While survival rates for sarcoma can be low, many people do survive sarcoma. With advances in medical technology and treatments, more and more people are able to beat this rare and difficult cancer.