ADVANCES IN OUR UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGEMENT OF SARCOMAS - RARE BONE AND SOFT TISSUE CANCERS

Abstract

Bone and soft tissue sarcomas are rare, accounting for approximately 1% of all adult solid malignant tumors. Although these cancers are categorised under the same banner of 'sarcoma', they in fact represent more than 70 distinct tumor subtypes, correct diagnoses of which are becoming increasingly important in delivering tailored and optimal medical care. The dramatic impact of imatinib on the management of gastrointestinal stromal tumor has served as a prototypic model for the development of other molecularly-targeted therapies. However, patients and their families affected by sarcomas still face significant challenges in accessing appropriate cancer care, as do their counterparts affected b..