Thoracic sarcoma is a type of cancer that occurs in the chest region, including the lungs, pleura, chest wall, and mediastinum. It is a rare form of cancer that accounts for less than 1% of all cancers.

In this article, we will discuss the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of thoracic sarcoma.

Symptoms of Thoracic Sarcoma

The symptoms of thoracic sarcoma vary depending on the location and stage of the cancer. Some of the common symptoms are:.

Chest pain
Coughing up blood
Difficulty breathing
Chest wall deformity
Fatigue

If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should consult a doctor immediately.

Diagnosis of Thoracic Sarcoma

The diagnosis of thoracic sarcoma usually involves a combination of physical examination, imaging tests, and biopsy.

Your doctor may ask you about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical examination to check for any lumps or abnormalities in the chest region.

Imaging tests such as X-ray, CT scan, MRI, and PET scan may be used to get a better view of the tumor and its location. A biopsy involves taking a sample of the tumor tissue and examining it under a microscope to determine if it is cancerous or not.

Types of Thoracic Sarcoma

There are different types of thoracic sarcoma, depending on the location of the tumor. Some of the common types of thoracic sarcoma are:.

Pleural sarcoma: This type of sarcoma occurs in the lining of the lungs and chest wall.
Lung sarcoma: This type of sarcoma occurs in the lung tissue.
Chest wall sarcoma: This type of sarcoma occurs in the bones and muscles of the chest wall.
Mediastinal sarcoma: This type of sarcoma occurs in the area between the lungs, which contains the heart, esophagus, and other organs.

Treatment of Thoracic Sarcoma

The treatment of thoracic sarcoma depends on the location and stage of the cancer. In general, the treatment involves surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Surgery involves removing the tumor and surrounding tissue. If the tumor is small and localized, surgery may be the only treatment needed.

However, if the tumor has spread to other parts of the body, surgery may be combined with radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Radiation therapy involves using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. It may be used before or after surgery, or as a standalone treatment. Chemotherapy involves using drugs to kill cancer cells.

It may be used in combination with radiation therapy or surgery, or as a standalone treatment for cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.

Conclusion

Thoracic sarcoma is a rare form of cancer that can occur in the chest region.

The symptoms of thoracic sarcoma vary depending on the location and stage of the cancer, and the diagnosis usually involves a combination of physical examination, imaging tests, and biopsy. The treatment of thoracic sarcoma depends on the location and stage of the cancer and may involve surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.