For Emergencies:
July is Sarcoma Awareness Month, and over the coming weeks we’ll be sharing a series of blogs to help raise awareness of these cancers, explain the treatment options available, and introduce the dedicated oncology team here at Bridge Referrals.
This week, we’re starting with the basics.
What is a Sarcoma?
A sarcoma is a type of cancer that develops from the body’s connective tissues, including muscle, fat, bone, blood vessels, nerves and fibrous tissue. The word itself comes from the Ancient Greek ‘sarc’, meaning flesh, and ‘oma’, meaning tumour or mass.
Sarcomas can occur almost anywhere in the body and vary greatly in their behaviour. Some grow slowly and remain localised, while others are more aggressive and have the potential to spread (metastasise), most commonly to the lungs or other organs.
Some of the more common sarcomas we see in dogs and cats include:
- Soft tissue sarcomas
- Fibrosarcomas
- Osteosarcomas (bone cancer)
- Haemangiosarcomas
- Peripheral nerve sheath tumours
- Liposarcomas
- Injection-site sarcomas in cats
We’ll explore some of these in more detail throughout the month.
What Should You Look For?
Many sarcomas first appear as a lump or swelling beneath the skin. While not every lump is cancerous, every new lump deserves attention.
An example of what a Sarcoma can look like!
Contact your vet if you notice:
- A lump that is increasing in size.
- A lump larger than a grape (approximately 2 cm).
- A lump that has been present for more than a month.
- Persistent limping or unexplained swelling.
- Difficulty eating or bleeding from the mouth.
- Sudden weakness or collapse.
Early assessment can make a significant difference.
Why Does Early Referral Matter?
One of the biggest factors influencing successful treatment is early diagnosis and referral.
Many sarcomas extend beyond what can be seen or felt externally. Early referral allows advanced imaging, accurate diagnosis and careful surgical planning before the tumour becomes larger or more invasive.
At Bridge Referrals, our multidisciplinary team works closely together to investigate each case thoroughly and develop an individual treatment plan tailored to your pet.
The earlier a sarcoma is diagnosed, the more treatment options may be available and, in many cases, the better the long-term outcome.
Looking Ahead
Next week we’ll explore the different treatment options available for sarcomas, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and newer treatments such as electrochemotherapy, and explain how treatment plans are tailored to each individual patient.
To refer to our Oncology Team, please use our platform or email us:
Click – Referral Platform
Email – [email protected]
