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RGCIRC Team

Cancer

9 July, 2026

A painless lump may not seem like a reason to worry. It may not hurt, restrict movement, or affect daily life. Many people assume it is an old injury, a fatty deposit, or a harmless cyst, especially when it grows slowly. But in some cases, a lump that is painless, persistent, or increasing in size may be an early sign of sarcoma.

Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the bones or soft tissues of the body, including muscles, fat, nerves, blood vessels, tendons, and connective tissues. Because it is uncommon and often misunderstood, sarcoma is sometimes called the “forgotten cancer.” It accounts for about 1% of adult cancers, but has a higher burden among children and young people. Unlike many common cancers, sarcoma may not have an obvious lifestyle link and can occur in almost any part of the body.

Sarcoma Awareness Month, observed every July, is an opportunity to bring attention to these lesser-known cancers and encourage timely medical evaluation. Awareness matters because early diagnosis, accurate imaging, expert pathology, and multidisciplinary treatment planning can make a significant difference in how sarcoma is managed. In this blog, we’ll explain what sarcoma is, why it is often missed, which warning signs should not be ignored, and how timely specialist care can help patients receive the right treatment at the right stage.

Sarcoma Awareness Month 2026: Key Facts at a Glance

  • Dates: 1 to 31 July 2026
  • Awareness colour: Yellow
  • Key 2026 events: Wear Yellow Wednesday (8 July); Light Up for Sarcoma Day (24 July); Sarcoma Advocacy Weekend (15 to 18 July, Washington DC)
  • 2026 campaign focus: Sarcoma UK’s campaign, “Living With Sarcoma: Life Goes On,” highlights real stories from people affected by sarcoma.
  • Global burden: The US is expected to see 13,910 new soft tissue sarcoma cases and 5,400 deaths in 2026, with bone and joint cancers projected to account for 4,110 new cases and 2,210 deaths
  • India profile: Bone sarcomas account for about 0.2% of all cancers in India, with osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing sarcoma among the most common types.
  • 2026 treatment milestone: In June 2026, the FDA granted full approval to Tecelra (afamitresgene autoleucel), expanding its use to include patients aged 12 and older with unresectable or metastatic synovial sarcoma
  • Expert care at RGCIRC: Sarcoma care is supported by Orthopaedic Oncology, GI Oncosurgery, and Surgical Oncology services at the Rohini campus, Delhi.

What is Sarcoma Awareness Month?

Sarcoma Awareness Month is observed every July to raise awareness about sarcoma, a rare and often misunderstood group of cancers that can develop in the bones or soft tissues of the body. The month brings together patients, survivors, caregivers, doctors, researchers, and advocacy groups to improve public understanding, encourage earlier recognition of symptoms, and support better access to specialist care.

The awareness month was first coordinated in July 2008, following efforts by sarcoma patient advocacy groups to create a unified platform for education, fundraising, research support, and community action. Since then, it has grown into a global observance led by organisations such as the Sarcoma Foundation of America, Sarcoma UK, and the Sarcoma Patient Advocacy Global Network.

In 2026, Sarcoma UK’s campaign theme, “Living With Sarcoma: Life Goes On,” focuses on real stories from people affected by sarcoma, highlighting life beyond diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Key awareness activities include Wear Yellow Wednesday on 8 July and Light Up for Sarcoma on 24 July, when people and organisations show support by wearing yellow or illuminating buildings in yellow.

In India, Sarcoma Awareness Month is especially important because sarcoma is rare, complex, and often difficult to recognise early. Greater awareness can help people take persistent lumps, bone pain, swelling, or unexplained symptoms more seriously and seek timely evaluation from a specialist cancer team.

What is Sarcoma?

Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that can develop in the bones or soft tissues of the body. Soft tissues include muscles, fat, nerves, blood vessels, tendons, and connective tissues. These are the tissues that support, connect, and give structure to different parts of the body.

Unlike cancers such as breast cancer, lung cancer, or colon cancer, sarcoma is not linked to one specific organ. It can appear almost anywhere, including the arms, legs, abdomen, chest, pelvis, head, neck, or back. This is one reason sarcoma can be difficult to recognise early.

Sarcomas are broadly divided into two main groups:

Soft tissue sarcomas: These develop in tissues such as muscle, fat, nerves, blood vessels, and tendons. They may appear as a lump or swelling, often without pain in the early stages.

Bone sarcomas: These develop in the bones. Common types include osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing sarcoma. These cancers can sometimes cause persistent bone pain, swelling, or difficulty using the affected limb.

There are more than 70 types of sarcoma, and each type can behave differently. Some grow slowly, while others may spread more quickly. Because sarcoma is rare and its early symptoms can look like common, harmless conditions, diagnosis is often delayed.

This is why any lump that keeps growing, swelling that does not settle, persistent bone pain, or unexplained symptoms should be checked by a doctor. Early evaluation can help ensure that sarcoma, if present, is diagnosed and treated at the right time.

Who Gets Sarcoma? The Age Paradox That Most Awareness Campaigns Miss

Sarcoma can affect people of any age, but its age pattern is different from many common cancers. While most adult solid tumours are seen more often in older people, several sarcoma types are also seen in children, teenagers, and young adults.

This is why sarcoma awareness is important for younger age groups too. Sarcoma accounts for only about 1% of adult cancers, but it forms a much larger share of cancers in children. Bone sarcomas such as osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma are especially important in this age group. Osteosarcoma is often seen between the ages of 10 and 20, during the years of rapid bone growth. Indian registry-based data on Ewing sarcoma has also shown the highest incidence in the 10 to 14 year age group.

This means sarcoma may not always look like what people expect cancer to look like. A teenager with persistent knee pain may think it is a sports injury. A young adult with a growing lump near the thigh or knee may assume it is a muscle strain. A child with swelling or pain may first be treated for an injury or infection. In many cases, these symptoms are not cancer, but when they persist, increase, or do not respond to usual treatment, they should be evaluated properly.

In Indian adults, soft tissue sarcoma also shows some important patterns. A 2024 study from a North India tertiary cancer centre reviewed 1,106 adult soft tissue sarcoma patients and found that most patients were young adults, with a male predominance. The lower limb was the most common site, followed by the trunk. Nearly half of the patients had already undergone prior suboptimal surgery at community hospitals before reaching a specialist centre, showing why early referral to a sarcoma team matters.

For most people, sarcoma has no clear cause. It is not strongly linked to common lifestyle risk factors such as smoking, diet, or alcohol. Known risk factors include previous radiation exposure, certain inherited genetic conditions such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome, neurofibromatosis, hereditary retinoblastoma, and familial adenomatous polyposis, chronic lymphoedema, and exposure to certain chemicals in occupational settings. Even then, many people diagnosed with sarcoma have no identifiable risk factor.

The key message is simple: sarcoma is rare, but it can affect both young and older people. A growing lump, persistent swelling, unexplained bone pain, or difficulty using a limb should not be ignored, especially if the symptom lasts for weeks or continues to progress.

Signs and Symptoms: What Does Sarcoma Feel Like?

Sarcoma symptoms depend on where the tumour starts. A sarcoma in the soft tissue may look and feel very different from a sarcoma in the bone. But one important point applies to many cases: pain is not always the first warning sign.

Many soft tissue sarcomas are painless in the beginning. A person may first notice a lump or swelling that slowly grows over weeks or months. Because it may not hurt, it can be mistaken for a harmless cyst, fatty lump, muscle injury, or old swelling.

A soft tissue lump needs medical evaluation if it is:

  • Larger than 5 cm, which is roughly 2 inches across
  • Growing in size over weeks or months
  • Deep-seated, meaning it feels like it is under the muscle rather than just under the skin
  • Firm to touch
  • Painful or becoming painful
  • Present for a long time but recently changing in size or feel

Bone sarcomas usually present differently. They may cause persistent bone pain, especially pain that continues at rest, worsens over time, or is felt at night. There may also be swelling, tenderness, warmth, reduced movement, limping, or difficulty using the affected limb.

In children and teenagers, these symptoms are sometimes mistaken for sports injuries, growing pains, infection, or strain. Osteosarcoma often affects bones around the knee, such as the lower thigh bone or upper shin bone. Ewing sarcoma may also cause fever, tiredness, or symptoms that resemble infection, which can delay the correct diagnosis.

When Should You See a Doctor?

You should seek medical evaluation if you notice:

  • A lump larger than 5 cm anywhere in the body
  • A lump of any size that is growing
  • A deep-seated or firm swelling
  • Persistent bone pain, especially in a child, teenager, or young adult
  • Bone pain that is present at night or at rest
  • Swelling, warmth, or tenderness over a bone
  • Difficulty walking, limping, or reduced movement of a limb
  • A long-standing lump that has recently started changing

Most lumps and pains are not cancer. However, a growing lump or persistent bone pain should not be ignored. Early assessment, imaging, and referral to the right specialist can help avoid delays in diagnosis.

Specialist note: A painless growing lump should not be assumed to be harmless. The absence of pain does not rule out sarcoma. If a lump is growing, it should be properly assessed rather than watched for months without investigation.

Why Biopsy Planning Matters in Sarcoma

A biopsy is essential to confirm whether a suspicious lump or bone lesion is sarcoma. But in sarcoma care, how and where the biopsy is done matters just as much as getting the biopsy done.

When sarcoma is suspected, the biopsy should not be treated as a routine first step. It should be planned after proper imaging and preferably by the same specialist team that will manage the treatment. This is because the path taken by the biopsy needle or incision may need to be removed later during surgery along with the tumour.

If the biopsy is done without planning, it may pass through tissue planes that would not normally be removed during surgery. This can make definitive surgery more difficult. In some cases, it may require a larger operation than originally needed and can affect the possibility of limb-sparing surgery.

This is why suspected bone and soft tissue sarcomas should ideally be evaluated at a specialist sarcoma centre before biopsy. The treating orthopaedic oncologist or sarcoma surgeon can review the imaging, decide the safest biopsy route, and plan the procedure in a way that supports future treatment.

Image-guided core needle biopsy is commonly preferred because it is minimally invasive and can provide tissue for diagnosis, tumour grading, and further testing. However, even this procedure needs careful planning so that the biopsy site fits into the final surgical plan if surgery is required.

The message is simple: if a lump or bone lesion is suspicious for sarcoma, do not rush into an unplanned biopsy or removal. First, get the right imaging reviewed by a sarcoma specialist. A properly planned biopsy can help confirm the diagnosis while protecting future treatment options, including limb-sparing surgery where possible.

How is Sarcoma Diagnosed?

Sarcoma diagnosis requires careful planning. Because sarcoma is rare and has many subtypes, diagnosis should ideally be coordinated by a specialist sarcoma team. The usual process includes imaging, a properly planned biopsy, expert pathology review, and, in many cases, molecular testing.

Imaging

The first step is to understand where the tumour is, how large it is, and whether it is close to important structures such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, or bones.

For a suspected soft tissue sarcoma, MRI is usually the most important scan. It gives detailed information about the lump and helps the doctor plan the next steps safely.

For a suspected bone sarcoma, an X-ray is often the starting point. Certain bone tumours, including osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, may show specific changes on X-ray. MRI is then used to understand the full extent of the tumour within the bone and surrounding soft tissues.

Doctors may also advise a CT scan of the chest because the lungs are one of the most common sites where sarcoma can spread. In selected cases, PET-CT may be used to assess the disease more widely in the body, especially in high-grade sarcomas or certain sarcoma types such as Ewing sarcoma.

Biopsy

A biopsy is done to confirm the diagnosis. It involves taking a small sample of tissue from the tumour and examining it under a microscope.

In suspected sarcoma, biopsy should not be done casually or as a quick standalone procedure. It should be planned after imaging and preferably by the team that will manage the patient’s treatment. This is because the biopsy route may need to be removed later during surgery, so it must be placed carefully.

Image-guided core needle biopsy is commonly preferred because it is minimally invasive and can provide enough tissue for diagnosis, grading, and further testing.

Pathology and Molecular Testing

Once the tissue sample is collected, it is reviewed by a pathologist experienced in bone and soft tissue tumours. This step is critical because there are more than 70 types of sarcoma, and many can look similar without detailed testing.

The pathologist studies the tumour type, grade, and specific features that help guide treatment. In many cases, additional tests such as immunohistochemistry, fusion testing, mutation testing, or next-generation sequencing may be advised. These tests can help confirm the exact subtype and identify treatment options for selected sarcomas.

For example, some sarcomas are linked to specific gene changes, such as EWSR1 rearrangements in Ewing sarcoma, SYT-SSX fusion in synovial sarcoma, or KIT and PDGFRA mutations in gastrointestinal stromal tumours. Identifying these changes can help doctors plan more precise treatment.

How is Sarcoma Treated in 2026?

Sarcoma treatment is highly personalised. The right plan depends on the type of sarcoma, its location, size, grade, stage, molecular profile, and whether it has spread. Because sarcoma has many subtypes, treatment is best planned by a multidisciplinary team that includes surgical oncologists, orthopaedic oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, reconstructive surgeons, and rehabilitation specialists.

Surgery

Surgery remains the main treatment for many sarcomas, especially when the tumour can be removed completely. The goal is to remove the tumour with a clear margin of healthy tissue around it, which helps reduce the risk of the cancer coming back in the same area.

For bone and soft tissue sarcomas of the arms and legs, limb-sparing surgery is often possible when the tumour is evaluated and treated at the right stage. Depending on the case, reconstruction may involve endoprosthetic replacement, vascularised bone grafts, re-implantation of tumour bone after specialised treatment, or customised implants.

For abdominal or retroperitoneal sarcomas, surgery may sometimes require removal of the tumour along with involved nearby organs to achieve safe clearance. In selected patients with disease spread within the peritoneal cavity, cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC may be considered by specialist teams.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is an important part of treatment for some sarcoma types, especially osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma. It may be given before surgery to shrink or control the tumour and after surgery to reduce the risk of recurrence.

In adult soft tissue sarcomas, chemotherapy is used more selectively. It may be considered for high-grade, advanced, metastatic, or chemotherapy-sensitive subtypes such as synovial sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, and some Ewing-type sarcomas in adults.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is commonly used in soft tissue sarcoma, especially when the tumour is large, deep-seated, close to important structures, or when surgical margins are close. It may be given before surgery to help shrink or control the tumour, or after surgery to reduce the risk of local recurrence.

In some bone sarcomas, such as Ewing sarcoma, radiation therapy may also be used when surgery is not possible or when complete surgical clearance cannot be achieved safely. Modern radiation techniques help deliver treatment more precisely while reducing exposure to nearby healthy tissues.

Targeted Therapy, Immunotherapy, and Cellular Therapy

One of the biggest changes in sarcoma care is the growing role of molecular testing. Some sarcomas carry specific gene changes that can guide treatment decisions. This is why testing for mutations, gene fusions, or other molecular markers is now an important part of care for selected sarcoma types.

For gastrointestinal stromal tumours, or GIST, targeted medicines such as imatinib remain central to treatment when specific mutations are present. Additional targeted medicines may be used when resistance develops.

For synovial sarcoma, 2026 brought an important treatment milestone. The FDA converted Tecelra, also known as afamitresgene autoleucel, from accelerated approval to traditional approval and expanded its indication to include patients aged 12 years and older with unresectable or metastatic synovial sarcoma who have received prior chemotherapy and meet specific HLA and MAGE-A4 testing requirements.

Other important advances include nirogacestat, approved in 2023 for adults with progressing desmoid tumours who require systemic treatment, and atezolizumab, approved for adults and children aged 2 years and older with unresectable or metastatic alveolar soft part sarcoma.

At the same time, some promising therapies are still under review rather than fully approved. For example, bezuclastinib with sunitinib has received FDA priority review for previously treated GIST, with Phase III data showing improved progression-free survival compared with sunitinib alone. If approved, it may add another option for selected patients.

Rehabilitation and Recovery Support

Sarcoma treatment does not end with tumour control. Many patients need physiotherapy, pain management, prosthetic or implant support, nutritional care, counselling, and long-term follow-up. Rehabilitation is especially important after limb-sparing surgery, bone reconstruction, amputation, or major abdominal surgery.

The goal of treatment is not only survival, but also preserving movement, independence, and quality of life wherever possible.

Limb Salvage vs Amputation: What Bone Sarcoma Patients Should Know

For many patients diagnosed with bone sarcoma in the arm or leg, one of the first questions is: “Will I lose my limb?” It is a difficult question, and it deserves a clear and honest answer.

Today, limb salvage is possible for many eligible patients when bone sarcoma is diagnosed, planned, and treated at a specialist orthopaedic oncology centre. Amputation is not the automatic outcome it once was. In many cases, the tumour can be removed while preserving the limb and reconstructing the affected bone or joint.

Limb salvage may be possible when the tumour can be removed with safe cancer margins without sacrificing the major nerves and blood vessels of the limb. It is also important that the reconstructed limb is expected to have useful function after surgery. Depending on the tumour location and extent, reconstruction may involve an endoprosthesis, bone graft, re-implantation of treated tumour bone, or other reconstructive techniques.

However, limb salvage is not suitable for every patient. Amputation may be recommended when the tumour involves major nerves or blood vessels in a way that prevents safe removal, when limb salvage would leave behind a painful or non-functional limb, or when previous unplanned surgery or biopsy has made safe cancer clearance more difficult.

This is why the decision is not based on emotion alone. The best treatment is the one that gives the patient the safest cancer outcome and the best possible function. In some cases, a well-planned limb-sparing surgery offers excellent mobility and quality of life. In other cases, a well-fitted modern prosthesis after amputation may provide better function than a salvaged limb that is painful, weak, or unstable.

The key message is this: amputation is not inevitable, but limb salvage must be planned carefully. Early referral to a specialist sarcoma centre gives patients the best chance of receiving the most appropriate treatment for their tumour, limb function, and long-term quality of life.

Why Choose RGCIRC for Sarcoma Care?

Sarcoma is rare, complex, and often difficult to diagnose early. Because treatment decisions can affect cancer control, limb function, reconstruction, and long-term recovery, patients benefit from care at a centre where bone and soft tissue tumours are managed by experienced specialists working together. Here’s why patients trust RGCIRC for Sarcoma care:

Dedicated Bone and Soft Tissue Tumour Team

RGCIRC has dedicated Bone and Soft Tissue Tumour services under Orthopaedic Oncology. Patients with benign and malignant bone or soft tissue tumours are managed by a multispecialty team that includes orthopaedic oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, medical oncologists, reconstructive surgeons, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, physiotherapists, counsellors, and nurses. This team-based approach helps ensure that diagnosis, biopsy planning, surgery, reconstruction, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and rehabilitation are aligned from the beginning.

Advanced Limb Salvage and Reconstruction

For eligible patients with bone and soft tissue sarcomas of the limbs, RGCIRC focuses on tumour removal while preserving limb function wherever possible. The centre performs limb salvage surgery with endoprosthetic replacement, vascularised bone autografts, extracorporeal radiotherapy with re-implantation of tumour bone, total femur replacement, total humerus replacement, internal hemipelvectomy, and en bloc resection of primary spinal tumours.

This is especially important because sarcoma surgery is not only about removing the tumour. It is also about planning the right reconstruction, protecting function, and helping the patient return to movement and daily life as safely as possible.

Specialist Paediatric Sarcoma Care

Sarcoma can affect children, teenagers, and young adults. RGCIRC provides paediatric oncology care for cancers such as osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma through a multidisciplinary approach. For paediatric bone sarcomas, treatment planning may involve chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy when needed, limb salvage procedures wherever feasible, prosthetic reconstruction, and rehabilitation support.

Planned Biopsy and Multidisciplinary Decision-Making

In sarcoma, biopsy should ideally be planned at the centre where the patient will receive treatment. RGCIRC recommends that biopsy for suspected bone or soft tissue sarcoma be performed at the treating centre, because an incorrectly planned biopsy can make limb-sparing surgery more difficult.

Every sarcoma case benefits from coordinated discussion between imaging specialists, pathologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and rehabilitation experts. This helps the team decide the safest sequence of care, including imaging, biopsy, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, reconstruction, and follow-up.

Molecular Diagnostics Support

Sarcoma treatment increasingly depends on accurate subtype confirmation and molecular information. RGCIRC has an NABL-accredited Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory that supports oncology testing and offers a broad molecular testing menu. This can help doctors confirm diagnosis, identify relevant biomarkers, and guide treatment planning in selected cancers.

Recognised Cancer Care Centre

RGCIRC is accredited by NABH and NABL and has Green OT and Nursing Excellence certifications. The institute has also been listed among Newsweek’s World’s Best Specialized Hospitals in 2024 and 2025, ranked No. 1 in North India among single-specialty hospitals in The Times of India’s 2025 ranking, and recognised as Best Oncology Hospital of the Year 2026 at the Cancer Summit Awards organised by the IHW Council.

Financial Support for Eligible Patients

As a not-for-profit cancer institute, RGCIRC also provides financial aid and subsidised care support through its philanthropy services for eligible patients who require assistance.

Final Words

Sarcoma is rare, but it should not be overlooked. Because it can begin as a painless lump, persistent swelling, or unexplained bone pain, many people do not seek medical advice until the symptoms have been present for months. Sarcoma Awareness Month is an opportunity to change that through better recognition, earlier evaluation, and timely referral to specialist care.

The message this July 2026 is simple: a growing lump should not be ignored just because it does not hurt. Persistent bone pain in a child, teenager, or young adult, especially pain that occurs at night or at rest, should be evaluated properly. And when sarcoma is suspected, imaging, biopsy, and treatment planning should ideally be done at a specialist sarcoma centre, because the first steps can influence the entire treatment journey.

If you or a loved one has a growing lump, unexplained bone pain, or a confirmed sarcoma diagnosis, the Orthopaedic Oncology and Surgical Oncology teams at RGCIRC offer specialist consultation, treatment planning, and second opinions for bone and soft tissue sarcomas.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sarcoma Awareness Month and when is it observed?

Sarcoma Awareness Month is observed every July, from 1 to 31 July, to raise awareness about sarcoma, support patients and families, and encourage earlier diagnosis. The awareness colour for sarcoma is yellow. In 2026, key awareness activities include Wear Yellow Wednesday on 8 July and Light Up for Sarcoma Day on 24 July.

What is the difference between sarcoma and carcinoma?

Carcinomas are cancers that usually begin in the cells lining organs and body surfaces. Common examples include breast cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer. Sarcomas are different because they begin in the bones or soft tissues of the body, such as muscles, fat, nerves, blood vessels, tendons, and connective tissues. This is why sarcoma diagnosis and treatment often require a specialist team.

Can sarcoma be cured?

Yes, some sarcomas can be treated with curative intent, especially when diagnosed early and treated at a specialist centre. Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of these, depending on the sarcoma type and stage. Outcomes are generally better when the tumour is localised and can be removed completely with safe margins.

Why is biopsy planning important in sarcoma?

In suspected sarcoma, biopsy should be carefully planned after imaging and preferably at the centre where the patient will receive treatment. This is because the biopsy route may need to be removed during final surgery along with the tumour. If a biopsy is done in the wrong location or through the wrong tissue plane, it can make surgery more complex and may affect limb-sparing options in some cases.

Is sarcoma common in children?

Sarcoma is rare overall, but it forms a higher share of childhood cancers than adult cancers. Sarcomas account for about 1% of adult cancers and around 15% of cancers in children. Some sarcomas, such as osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma, are more commonly seen in children, teenagers, and young adults.

What is limb salvage surgery for bone sarcoma?

Limb salvage surgery is a procedure in which the tumour is removed while preserving the arm or leg, instead of performing an amputation. The removed bone or joint may be reconstructed using an endoprosthesis, bone graft, treated tumour bone re-implantation, or other reconstructive techniques. Limb salvage is considered when the tumour can be removed safely and the limb is expected to remain functional after surgery.

What are the latest treatment advances for sarcoma in 2026?

Sarcoma treatment is becoming more personalised with the use of molecular testing and targeted therapies. In June 2026, the FDA converted Tecelra, also known as afamitresgene autoleucel, to traditional approval and expanded its use to include patients aged 12 years and older with unresectable or metastatic synovial sarcoma who meet specific eligibility criteria. Other approved treatment advances include nirogacestat for progressing desmoid tumours and atezolizumab for unresectable or metastatic alveolar soft part sarcoma. For GIST, targeted therapies remain central to treatment, and newer options continue to be studied for patients whose disease has progressed after earlier treatment.

What should I do if I find a lump that might be sarcoma?

Do not ignore a lump that is growing, deep-seated, firm, painful, larger than 5 cm, or changing over time. Many soft tissue sarcomas are painless in the early stages, so waiting for pain can delay diagnosis. A doctor may advise imaging, such as MRI, and referral to an orthopaedic oncologist, surgical oncologist, or sarcoma specialist if the lump appears suspicious.

At RGCIRC, patients with suspected bone or soft tissue sarcoma can receive imaging review, biopsy planning, multidisciplinary assessment, and treatment guidance through the Orthopaedic Oncology and Surgical Oncology teams.

Where can I consult a sarcoma specialist near me in Delhi NCR?

If you are looking for sarcoma treatment near you in Delhi NCR, Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre (RGCIRC) offers specialist care for bone and soft tissue sarcomas at its Rohini campus in Delhi. The institute provides evaluation, imaging review, planned biopsy, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, limb salvage procedures, reconstruction, and multidisciplinary treatment planning for sarcoma patients.

Patients with a growing lump, persistent bone pain, swelling, or a confirmed sarcoma diagnosis can consult the Orthopaedic Oncology and Surgical Oncology teams at RGCIRC for diagnosis, treatment planning, and second opinions.