What is sarcoma? Early detection, emerging nano-delivery and the CAR-T breakthrough

Sarcoma may start as a harmless lump or mild pain, but early detection can save lives. (Image: Pexels)

Sarcoma develops slowly in the body’s connective tissues, including bones, muscles, nerves, and fat. While it may seem like a harmless lump or dull pain, it can grow larger and become harder to treat if not diagnosed early.

It present with subtle symptoms and warnings that shouldn’t be ignored, says Dr Satya Pal Kataria, Vice Chairman, Medical Oncology, Cancer Care, Medanta, Gurugram. “Unlike breast orlung cancer, sarcoma is uncommon and may appear almost anywhere in the body. Many dismiss the first signs; a lump that does not subside, or unexplained pain that worsens at night,” Dr Kataria explains. He adds, “The size of the tumour at diagnosis makes a huge difference to survival, smaller sarcomas detected early are easier to remove surgically and less likely to spread,”

For patients, the challenge lies not just in spotting symptoms but in understanding the treatment journey. Sarcoma care requires the expertise of surgeons, radiation specialists, and medical oncologists working in unison. Traditional chemotherapy often fails, as many sarcomas resist it. “We cannot approach sarcoma with a one-size-fits-all mindset,” says Dr Kataria. “Each subtype requires careful planning, sometimes integrating newer therapies, to give patients the best chance.”

A swelling that continues to grow is never to be taken lightly. While it may stem from benign reasons, a sarcoma lump often grows deeper and more painful over time. Early scans and tests can save months of delay.

Unlike everyday aches, sarcoma-related pain tends to intensify after dusk, often disturbing sleep. “Night pain is one of the red flags one should take seriously,” notes Dr Kataria. Seeking medical help immediately is essential.

Surgery remains the mainstay, but its success depends on catching sarcoma early. Larger tumours may need a combination of surgery, radiotherapy, and carefully chosen drugs—reinforcing the need for specialised cancer centres.

Researchers are experimenting with nanoparticles that deliver drugs directly into tumour cells, sparing healthy tissues. This could reduce side effects and overcome drug resistance, making treatment more precise and tolerable in the future.

Though largely used for blood cancers, CAR-T therapy—where a patient’s immune cells are re-engineered to attack cancer—is being tested in sarcoma. “It is still in early stages, but it looks promising,” says Dr. Kataria.