Sarcoma Vs Carcinoma

April 18, 2021

4 min read

Sarcomas and carcinomas are two types of cancer with a great many differences between them. Either type may appear in various body locations, but sarcomas begin in the bones or soft tissues. Carcinomas begin in the epithelial cells, such as skin or the tissues lining the internal organs.

Sarcomas are far less common than carcinomas. In fact, approximately 90 percent of all cancers are carcinomas.

These two types of cancers have their similarities. Either is treatable or potentially life-threatening. While cancer occurs more often in older people, young people may receive cancer diagnoses. Certain types of both sarcomas and carcinomas target young people. However, about 15 percent of cancers found in those under age 20 are sarcomas, even though carcinomas are more prevalent overall.

The danger posed by sarcomas vs. carcinomas really depends on many factors. These include tumor size and location, growth rate, whether the cancer has spread, and the patient’s age and overall health.

Sarcomas

Sarcomas are found in soft, or connective, tissues. The type of sarcoma is identified by the area in which they appear. They may develop in:

Blood vessels — angiosarcoma
Cartilage — chondrosarcoma
Deep skin tissues — epithelioid sarcoma
Fat — liposarcoma
Fibrous tissues — fibrosarcoma
Joint lining –synovial sarcoma
Lymph vessels — angiosarcoma
Muscles — leiomyosarcoma or rhabdomyosarcoma
Nerves — peripheral nerve sheath tumors

There are 75 different types of sarcomas.

Not all soft-tissue tumors are malignant. Benign soft-tissue tumors are not sarcomas, as the name sarcoma indicates cancer.

Sarcomas originating in the bone, bone marrow, or cartilage are known as osteosarcomas.

Sarcoma Risk Factors

Genetics plays a role in many sarcomas, so a family history of these tumors is a risk factor.

Exposure to various types of toxic chemicals raises the risk of sarcoma.

A person undergoing radiation therapy for cancer –whether carcinoma or sarcoma — is at increased risk of later developing a sarcoma. This also holds true for those needing extensive X-rays and other diagnostic imaging.

Those suffering from lymphedema, a chronic swelling due to lymphatic system blockage, are at risk of developing an angiosarcoma.

Sarcoma Symptoms

Sarcoma symptoms include:

Abdominal pain
Bone pain
Broken bone from a minor injury
Palpable lump
Unexplained weight loss

Sarcoma Treatment

Surgery is the primary form of treatment for sarcomas. For small tumors, surgery may prove the only treatment necessary. Overall, sarcomas are more difficult to treat than carcinomas.

Radiation therapy destroys cancer cells. It is generally given post-operatively, although some patients may receive it before surgery to reduce tumor size. Patients usually receive therapy daily at a hospital or radiology center for a specific number of weeks. Intraoperative radiation therapy is performed in conjunction with the surgery.

Types of radiation therapy used for treating sarcomas include:

External beam radiation
Proton beam radiation
Brachytherapy

In sarcoma treatment, chemotherapy is used most often when the cancer has spread. It is also used to shrink the tumors of some patients prior to surgery.

Targeted therapies block the growth of cancer cells by going after the cancer’s specific genes or proteins.

Carcinoma

There are various types of epithelial cells, and these cells develop into different forms of cancer. Examples of common carcinomas include:

Basal cell carcinoma — This cancer forms in the skin’s deepest layer. It grows slowly and seldom spreads.
Squamous cell carcinoma — This type of cancer develops on the skin’s upper layers. Signs include rough, patchy skin or a bump in a red patch of skin.
Breast cancer — invasive ductal carcinoma starts in the milk ducts but spreads to nearby breast tissue. Eventually, it can spread to the lymph nodes and then metastasize throughout the body.
Prostate cancer — the majority of prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas.
Liver cancer — jaundice, unexplained weight loss, and abdominal pain are symptoms of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Bladder cancer — transitional cell carcinoma affects the urinary tract, resulting in malignancies of the bladder, ureters, or urethra.
Renal cell carcinoma — the most common type of kidney cancer, RCC originates in the kidney’s tubal linings. It is a clear cell carcinoma, in that it appears pale or colorless under a microscope.

Carcinoma Symptoms

Symptoms of carcinoma depend on the site of the cancer. They may include:

Changes in bowel or bladder habits
Changes in existing moles or new moles
Chronic coughing
Fatigue
Headaches
Lumps or swelling
Sores that do not heal
Unexplained bruising or bleeding
Unexplained weight loss

See your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of the symptoms of carcinoma or sarcoma. Early detection of many cancers saves lives.

Carcinoma Treatment

Carcinoma treatment depends on the subtype, as well as the stage and grade of the tumor. In general, treatment may involve surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Immunotherapy is another treatment used for carcinomas but not usually approved for sarcomas. This therapy aims to boost the body’s immune system so that it may better fight the disease.