- Written By: Erin J. Hill
- Edited By: Bronwyn Harris
- Last Modified Date: 15 May 2012
-
Copyright Protected:
2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
Spindle cell sarcoma is a type of cancer which occurs on the connective tissues of the body. The name “spindle cell” comes from the shape the cells appear to have when viewed through a microscope. This type of cancer can occur on nearly any of the onnective tissues of the body, including the stomach, muscles, and lungs. Treatments may vary based on tumor size, progression of the disease, and the patient’s overall health at the time of diagnosis.
Like many cancers, spindle cell sarcoma often presents itself with a tumor. This may be found at a routine checkup or an exam regarding another illness, or symptoms may become apparent leading to an X-ray or sonogram. Symptoms will vary depending on where the cancer is found, although fatigue and a general feeling of malaise are common with most cancers. Upon diagnosis, which generally occurs once a biopsy has been completed, patients will be advised of their options.
Treatments may vary based on the stage of spindle cell sarcoma. In most cases the tumor will be removed, unless it is in an inoperable area. After surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of the two may be required to slow down or stop the growth of new cancer cells. Stage one cancer means that the cells have not moved outside an isolated area. This is the easiest stage of cancer to treat. Stage four means that the cells have migrated to various other locations of the body, and is the most difficult to treat.
Unfortunately, since most cases of spindle cell sarcoma are not caught in the earliest stages, the overall survival rate is less than five years from the date of cancer detection. Since symptoms are often varied and can be confused with other things, spindle cell sarcoma is often not caught until the cancer has spread. For this reason, patients are encouraged to seek medical counsel as soon as they begin noticing unusual symptoms.
Spindle cell sarcoma is a relatively rare form of cancer, and fewer studies have been done on this form when compared to more common forms of cancer. Prevention methods include maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding cigarettes and secondhand smoke, and having annual doctor’s visits to discuss any unusual symptoms. Patients are advised to discuss even seemingly mild symptoms because in the rare event that spindle cell sarcoma is present, this may help to catch it in its earliest form.
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anon268773
Post 13 |
My daughter Julie (30 years old) has just been diagnosed with high grade spindle cell retroperitoneal sarcoma attached to smooth muscle. We will be consulting with an oncologist tomorrow morning and expect to be hearing the results from the surgeon's board meeting later in the evening. The CT scans show a very large tumor (~12cm diameter) but, thankfully, the surgeon is confident that she can remove all of it. |
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anon242988
Post 12 |
I lost my only sister to this disease six months after diagnosis. She too, was 24. |
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anon242664
Post 11 |
Last spring, about a year after having a large sarcoma removed from her hip, my mom was diagnosed with stage IV spindle cell sarcoma on her lungs. She completed 12 rounds of chemotherapy which seemed to slow down, but not shrink, the tumors. She was able to enjoy the holidays without treatment, but found out today that they are growing again and she will need to resume some method of chemo. My heart goes out to those of you on here who have lost someone to this cancer. I know it will likely take my mom from us, and I can imagine how you are feeling. God bless! |
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anon241693
Post 10 |
My sister was diagnosed with Spindle Cell Sarcoma last July 2011. She had a sore on her tongue that would not heal. The biopsy showed what it was. She had surgery a few weeks later. By then it was in the lymph nodes in her neck. We learned today that it has spread to her lungs and lymph nodes in the other side of her neck and under her arm. The doctor said the only option is chemo to slow the spreading. Does anyone know of a cancer center that is successfully treating the cancer? |
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anon204107
Post 9 |
My girlfriend died of complications of spindle cell. Her appetite had gotten noticeably less and less (I had noticed and commented to her about it.) She said she just wasn't hungry. This went on for about a month. I finally convinced her to go see a doctor, that she couldn't go on not eating. Originally, we thought maybe she had a gallbladder issue. Her GP thought so too. When we went to get a sonogram prior to visiting the surgeon for gallbladder we were advised that her gallbladder was not visible due to her enlarged liver. The doctor called for a biopsy of her liver and discovered the cancer. They advised that the liver was not the source of the cancer and spindle cell was mentioned for the first time. The doctors advised that chemo be injected locally via the femoral artery into one half of her liver in an attempt to save as much of the liver as possible. Within a week the cancer had spread to her right lung. She was re-admitted to the hospital. She had her lung tapped and ultimately a chest tube was installed to adequately drain the fluid from the lung. The doctors advised that the best course of action was to give her full chemotherapy three weeks ahead of the second localized dose. After that, she started having chest pain, general deterioration in cognizance and strength and eventually went on life support. She was removed from the respirator and we were advised there was nothing more medically that could be done. She was transferred to a local hospice where she died three days later. Within three months of diagnosis she was gone. Words cannot adequately express my grief. This blindsided her, me -- all of us.
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anon189516
Post 8 |
Spindle cell sarcoma killed my sister. She was 24 years old. From the date she was diagnosed to the date she died was roughly three years. It is very aggressive. |
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anon178553
Post 7 |
My mother was discharged yesterday from MD Anderson Cancer Center and diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma. She began having some discomfort in her abdomen in Feb. 2011 and her blood work showed that she was anemic. Quickly she was fatigued, the pain level kept rising, she was running a small fever in the evenings and stayed so hot that she swore that she must have smoke coming out her ears. She also mentioned a stabbing pain radiating from her belly button area. Within two weeks of the CT scan that identified the tumors several on the liver and one in the small bowel and waiting on a referral to the cancer center, the tumors had almost doubled in size. Unfortunately the largest tumor has invaded the bowel and there are no options available medically. She has been placed on hospice. |
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anon146746
Post 6 |
My father was just diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma in the right lung and chest cavity. In hindsight, I can almost detect its onset because of his change in mood and energy level. He has started chemotherapy since we were told it is only treatable, not curable. He does have pain, both from being post operative and the cancer we are told. It is a very hard cancer to find anything useful or helpful to read up on. |
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anon137342
Post 5 |
there are no uniform symptoms. if you have a good doctor, they will order a full blood work up. my husband was diagnosed with retroperitoneal high grade spindle cell sarcoma. by the time the tumor was removed it had grown to seven and half pounds. that was august of 2008. he is doing ok now. he says it's because of me. we have been together for 30 years. |
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anon124164
Post 4 |
My husband was diagnosed with meningeal spindle cell sarcoma.He was perfectly healthy until hitting his head at work. He developed blurred vision within six hours and then started having numbness/tingling in his left arm/leg. He died 99 days after the diagnosis. He actually became paralysed in 60 days since the tumor was rapidly traveling down his spine. He actually aspirated and died from pneumonia. He was doing ok until we agreed to take Chemo, and it totally devastated him. I would definitely not recommend it for this type of cancer. |
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galen84basc
Post 3 |
Spindle cell sarcomas also occur in cats and dogs, particularly in older cats and dogs.
Unfortunately, the diagnosis is very poor, and many pets have to be euthanized because of this cancer. |
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pharmchick78
Post 2 |
@Planch -- Well, as the article said, the symptoms do vary, and often resemble other conditions.
It also doesn't help that there are four kinds of spindle cell sarcoma. However, there are some symptoms to look out for.
Like bone cancer, spindle cell sarcoma presents with a lot of pain, sometimes with localized swelling. The pain usually worsens at night.
Spindle cell sarcoma is most common in the lower thighs, shins, and arms.
Other common symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, and fever.
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Planch
Post 1 |
So what are some of the symptoms of spindle cell sarcoma or spindle cell tumors?
I know the article said they varied, but are there any uniform or common symptoms? |
