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Sarcoma Samples

by | Apr 4, 2021 | News Releases | 0 comments

Bay Biosciences provides high quality, clinical grade, biopsy tumor tissue bio-specimens, cryogenically preserved sera (serum), plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) biofluid samples from patients diagnosed with Sarcoma.

The sera (serum), plasma and PBMC biofluid specimens are processed from patient’s peripheral whole-blood using customized collection and processing protocols. The sarcoma biopsy tumor tissue samples and biofluids are collected from unique patients diagnosed with sarcoma cancer and are provided to a valued pharmaceutical customer for research, diagnostics, discovery and drug development.

Detailed clinical data, sarcoma patients history, symptoms, complete blood count (CBC), serology, chemotherapy information, biopsy tumor tissue, elevated biomarker levels, genetic and metabolic information, histopathological findings, annotations associated with sarcoma specimens is provided to a valued customer for research, development and drug discovery.

The sarcoma sera (serum), plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) biofluid are processed from patients peripheral whole-blood using customized collection and processing protocols.

Sarcoma Overview

Sarcoma is a type of  cancer that can occur in various locations in your body. Sarcoma is the general term for a broad group of cancers that begin in the bones and in the soft (also called connective) tissues (soft tissue sarcoma). Soft tissue sarcoma forms in the tissues that connect, support and surround other body structures. This includes muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves, tendons and the lining of the joints. There are more than 70 types of sarcoma. Treatment for sarcoma varies depending on sarcoma type, location and other factors.

Sarcomas can start in any part of the body, such as the bone or soft tissue.

  • 60% begin in an arm or leg
  • 30% start in the torso or abdomen
  • 10% occur in the head or neck

Both children and adults can develop a sarcoma, however sarcoma is rare in adults, accounting for about 1% of all adult cancers. Sarcomas represent about 15% of all childhood cancers.

Soft-tissue Sarcoma

Soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) is a group of cancers that begin in the connective tissues that support and connect the body, including:

  • Blood vessels
  • Fat cells
  • Lining of joints
  • Lymph vessels
  • Muscle
  • Nerves
  • Tendons

As a result, soft tissue sarcoma (STS) can occur almost anywhere in the body. When a soft tissue sarcoma (STS) begins and is small, it can go unnoticed because it usually does not cause problems, such as pain. However, as soft tissue sarcoma (STS) grows, it can interfere with the body’s normal functions.

Not all sarcomas are the same. Because there are more than seventy different types of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and each has a different natural history, meaning where they start, how they affect the body, how fast they grow, and how they respond to treatment, it is more accurate to describe them as a family of related diseases rather than as a single disease. Specific types of sarcoma are often named according to the normal tissue cells they most closely resemble, as listed below. This is different from most other types of cancer, which usually are named for the part of the body where the cancer began. Some sarcomas do not look like any type of normal tissue and are thought to come from stem cells or other primitive cells. Stem cells are special cells that can mature into specific tissues or organs.

Following are the several common types of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) and related connective tissue tumors:

  • Angiosarcoma: Angiosarcoma is a rare type of cancer that forms in the lining of the blood vessels and lymph vessels. Your lymph vessels, which are part of your immune system, collect bacteria, viruses and waste products from your body and dispose of them. Angiosarcoma can develop anywhere in the body, but it most often occurs in the skin on the head and neck. Rarely, angiosarcoma may form in the skin on other parts of the body, such as the breast. Or it may form in deeper tissue, such as the liver and the heart.

  • Chondrosarcoma: Chondrosarcoma is a rare type of cancer that usually begins in the bones, but can sometimes can also develop in the soft tissue near bones. The most common locations for chondrosarcoma tumors are in the pelvis, hip and shoulder. More rarely, the base of the skull is affected. The defining characteristic of a chondrosarcoma is that its cells produce cartilage. Some types of chondrosarcomas grow slowly and, provided they are removed completely, have a low risk of spreading to other organs and bones. Others grow rapidly and have a high risk of metastasis. Surgical removal of the tumor is the mainstay of chondrosarcoma treatment. Radiation and chemotherapy are rarely effective treatment for chondrosarcoma.

  • Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a very rare type of skin cancer that begins in connective tissue cells in the middle layer of your skin (dermis). Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans may at first appear as a bruise or scar. As it grows, lumps of tissue (protuberans) may form near the surface of the skin. This skin cancer often forms on the arms, legs and trunk. Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans grows slowly and rarely spreads beyond the skin.

  • Desmoplastic: Desmoplastic small round cell tumors are a type of soft tissue cancer that typically begins in the abdomen. Rarely, this type of cancer can develop in other parts of the body. Desmoplastic small round cell tumors occur most often in young men and boys, though they can occur at any age and can also affect women. These aggressive cancers often form as multiple tumors in the tissue (peritoneum) that lines the inside of the abdomen and pelvis. They quickly spread to other structures within the abdomen. Desmoplastic small round cell tumors are a type of soft tissue sarcoma. Treatment for desmoplastic small round cell tumors typically involves a combination of treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

  • Epithelioid sarcoma is a rare, slow-growing type of soft tissue cancer. Most cases begin in the soft tissue under the skin of a finger, hand, forearm, lower leg or foot, though it can start in other areas of the body. Typically, epithelioid sarcoma starts as a small firm growth or lump that’s painless. It usually starts out as a single growth, but multiple growths may occur by the time a person seeks medical help. Sometimes this sarcoma appears as ulcers that don’t heal, looking like open wounds over the growths. The classic form (distal-type) of epithelioid sarcoma mainly occurs in teenagers and young adults. A rarer form, called large-cell (proximal-type) epithelioid sarcoma, tends to be more aggressive and mainly affects adults. Epithelioid sarcoma tends to have a high rate of recurrence and can spread to other areas. So if epithelioid sarcoma is suspected, it’s best to seek care at a comprehensive cancer center that sees more cases of soft tissue sarcoma to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment, and to help prevent the cancer from recurring.

  • Ewing sarcoma: Ewing’s sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that occurs in bones or in the soft tissue around the bones. Ewing sarcoma most often begins in the leg bones and in the pelvis, but it can occur in any bone. Less often, it starts in the soft tissues of the chest, abdomen, limbs or other locations. Ewing sarcoma is more common in children and teenagers, but it can occur at any age. Major advancements in the treatment of Ewing sarcoma have helped to improve the outlook for people with this cancer. After completion of treatment, lifelong monitoring is recommended to watch for potential late effects of intense chemotherapy and radiation.

  • Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs): Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST’s) are soft tissue sarcomas that can be located in any part of the digestive system. Their most common sites are the stomach and small intestine. GIST’s start in specialized nerve cells located in the walls of your digestive system. These cells are part of the autonomic nervous system. A specific change in the DNA of one of these cells, which control such digestive processes as movement of food through the intestines, gives rise to a GIST’s. Small GIST’s may cause no symptoms, and they may grow so slowly that they have no serious effects. Patients with larger GIST’s usually seek medical attention when they vomit blood or pass blood in their stool due to rapid bleeding from the tumor.

  • Kaposi’s sarcoma: Kaposi’s sarcoma is a type of cancer that forms in the lining of blood and lymph vessels. The tumors (lesions) of Kaposi’s sarcoma typically appear as painless purplish spots on the legs, feet or face. Lesions can also appear in the genital area, mouth or lymph nodes. In severe Kaposi’s sarcoma, lesions may develop in the digestive tract and lungs.The underlying cause of Kaposi’s sarcoma is infection with a virus called human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). In healthy people, HHV-8 infection usually causes no symptoms because the immune system keeps it under control. In people with weakened immune systems, however, HHV-8 infection has the potential to trigger Kaposi’s sarcoma. Patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV),  the virus that causes AIDS, have the highest risk of Kaposi’s sarcoma. The immune system damage caused by HIV allows cells harboring HHV-8 infection to multiply. Through unknown mechanisms, the characteristic lesions form. Recipients of organ transplants who take immune system-suppressing drugs to prevent transplant rejection also are at risk of Kaposi’s sarcoma. In this population, though, the disease tends to be milder and easier to control than it is in people with AIDS. Another type of Kaposi’s sarcoma occurs in older men of Eastern European, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern descent. Known as classic Kaposi’s sarcoma, this cancer progresses slowly and typically causes few serious problems. A fourth type of Kaposi’s sarcoma that affects people of all ages occurs in equatorial Africa.

  • Leiomyosarcoma: Leiomyosarcoma is a rare type of cancer that affects smooth muscle tissue. These tumors are most common in the abdomen, but can occur anywhere in the body, including the uterus. Other common sites include blood vessels and skin. Abdominal leiomyosarcoma tumors can measure over 4 inches (10 centimeters) across and may be accompanied by pain, weight loss, nausea or vomiting. Leiomyosarcoma also can affect large blood vessels, particularly the vein that carries blood from the lower part of the body back to the heart (inferior vena cava) and the artery that carries blood from the heart to the lungs (pulmonary artery).

  • Liposarcoma: Liposarcoma is a rare type of cancer that begins in the fat cells. Liposarcoma is considered a type of soft tissue sarcoma. Liposarcoma can occur in fat cells in any part of the body, but most cases occur in the muscles of the limbs or in the abdomen. Liposarcoma occurs most often in older adults, though it can occur at any age. Treatment for liposarcoma typically involves surgery to remove the cancer. Other treatments, such as radiation therapy, also may be used.

  • Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors: Malignanat peripheral nerve sheath tumors are a rare type of cancer that occurs in the lining of the nerves that extend from the spinal cord into the body. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors used to be called neurofibrosarcomas. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors can occur anywhere in the body, but most often occur in the deep tissue of the arms, legs and trunk. They tend to cause pain and weakness in the affected area and may also cause a growing lump or mass. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors are typically treated with surgery. In certain cases, radiation therapy and chemotherapy also may be recommended.

  • Myxofibrosarcoma (MFS): Myxofibrosarcoma (MFS) is a type of cancer that typically appears as a slow-growing, painless lump on one of your legs or arms. The disease occurs mainly in people between the ages of 50 and 70 and is slightly more common in men than in women. MFS is a soft tissue sarcoma. Like other soft tissue sarcomas, it arises in connective tissue, specifically, the connective tissue that surrounds muscles and separates muscles from each other and from skin. An MFS may lie just below the skin or deeper in muscle tissue. MFS is not as well-known or understood as many other types of cancer, partly because the features distinguishing it from another soft tissue sarcoma came into focus only recently. Also, an MFS is often mistaken for a benign tumor and treated as such, by removing only the visible growth. This delays accurate diagnosis and complicates further treatment. Although MFS tends to recur in the same area where it started, a majority of patients live five or more years after treatment.

  • Osteosarcoma: Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that begins in the cells that form bones. Osteosarcoma is most often found in the long bones more often the legs, but sometimes the arms, but it can start in any bone. In very rare instances, it occurs in soft tissue outside the bone. Osteosarcoma tends to occur in teenagers and young adults, but it can also occur in younger children and older adults.Treatment usually involves chemotherapy, surgery and, sometimes, radiation therapy. Doctors select treatment options based on where the osteosarcoma starts, the size of the cancer, the type and grade of the osteosarcoma, and whether the cancer has spread beyond the bone. Treatment innovations for osteosarcoma have greatly improved the outlook (prognosis) for this cancer over the years. After completion of treatment, lifelong monitoring is recommended to watch for potential late effects of intense treatments.

  • Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a rare type of cancer that forms in soft tissue specifically skeletal muscle tissue or sometimes hollow organs such as the bladder or uterus. Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) can occur at any age, but it most often affects children.Although Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) can arise anywhere in the body, it’s more likely to start in the:
    • Head and neck area
    • Urinary system, such as the bladder
    • Reproductive system, such as the vagina, uterus and testes
    • Arms and legs

    The outlook (prognosis) and treatment decisions depend on the type of rhabdomyosarcoma, where it starts, tumor size and whether the cancer has spread. Treatment is usually with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Major advancements in the treatment of rhabdomyosarcoma have significantly improved outcomes. After completion of treatment, people need lifelong monitoring for potential late effects of intense chemotherapy and radiation.

  • Soft tissue sarcoma: Soft tissue sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that begins in the tissues that connect, support and surround other body structures. This includes muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves, tendons and the lining of your joints. More than 50 subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma exist. Some types are more likely to affect children, while others affect mostly adults. These tumors can be difficult to diagnose because they may be mistaken for many other types of growths. Soft tissue sarcoma can occur anywhere in your body, but the most common types occur in the arms and legs, and in the abdomen. Surgical removal is the most common treatment, although radiation and chemotherapy also may be recommended, depending on the size, type, location and aggressiveness of the tumor.

  • Solitary fibrous tumors: Solitary fibrous tumors are rare growths of soft tissue cells that can form nearly anywhere in the body. Solitary fibrous tumors most often occur in the lining around the outside of the lungs (pleural solitary fibrous tumors). Solitary fibrous tumors have also been found in the head and neck, breast, kidney, prostate, spinal cord, and other sites. Most solitary fibrous tumors are noncancerous (benign), but in rare cases, solitary fibrous tumors can be cancerous (malignant). Solitary fibrous tumors tend to grow slowly and may not cause signs and symptoms until they become very large.

  • Synovial sarcoma: Synovial sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that tends to arise near large joints, particularly the knee, in young adults. Despite its name, it typically doesn’t affect the interior of joints, where synovial tissue and fluid are located. The first sign of trouble is usually a deep-seated lump that may be tender or painful. Synovial sarcoma generally grows slowly. While these tumors can occur in young children, they generally develop in people between the ages of 15 and 40. While synovial sarcoma can occur almost anywhere in the body, the most common locations are in the legs, arms and throat.

  • Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is a rare type of cancer that begins mostly in the soft tissues of the body. Soft tissues connect, support and surround other body structures. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) usually occurs in the arms or legs. Less often it can happen in the area behind the abdominal organs (retroperitoneum). The name undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma comes from the way the cancer cells appear under the microscope. Undifferentiated means the cells don’t look like the body tissues in which they develop. The cancer is called pleomorphic because the cells grow in multiple shapes and sizes. Treatment for Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) depends on the location of the cancer, but often involves surgery, radiation and drug treatments. Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) used to be called malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

When a tumor is found and the doctor believes it could be sarcoma, it is important to find out the type of sarcoma as part of the diagnosis process. Because there are so many different types of sarcomas, it is best if an expert pathologist who specializes in sarcoma examines the tumor tissue sample. A pathologist is a doctor who uses a microscope to look at the tumor specimen to make the diagnosis. The pathologist will look under the microscope to see the size and shape, called morphology of the tumor cells and do special stains, called immunohistochemistry to determine what type of sarcoma it is, this is called the histology. Sometimes they need more information and additional genetic tests are performed, which takes longer for the results to come back. Pathologists are looking for new ways to quickly determine a tumor’s type because this helps the health care team decide on the treatment plan faster.

Pathologists also describe a sarcoma by its “grade,” which describes how closely cancer cells look or don’t look like healthy cells when viewed under a microscope. A higher-grade tumor has cells that look more abnormal and are potentially more aggressive. The grade can help the doctor predict how quickly the sarcoma will grow and spread. In general, the lower the tumor’s grade, the less the likelihood it will recur and/or grow. A pathologist with expertise in sarcomas should be involved when sarcoma is suspected.

Signs and Symptoms of Sarcoma

Following are the signs and symptoms of sarcoma:
  • A lump that can be felt through the skin that may or may not be painful
  • Bone pain
  • A broken bone that happens unexpectedly, such as with a minor injury or no injury at all
  • Abdominal pain
  • Weight loss

Causes of Sarcoma

Exact Causes of sarcomas is unknown. In general, cancer forms when changes (mutations) happen in the DNA within cells. The DNA inside a cell is packaged into a large number of individual genes, each of which contains a set of instructions telling the cell what functions to perform, as well as how to grow and divide.

Mutations might tell cells to grow and divide uncontrollably and to continue living when normal cells would die. If this happens, the accumulating abnormal cells can form a tumor. Cells can break away and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

Risk factors of Sarcoma

Following are the risk factors that can increase the risk of developing sarcoma:
  • Inherited syndromes: Some syndromes that increase the risk of cancer can be passed from parents to children. Examples of syndromes that increase the risk of sarcoma include familial retinoblastoma and neurofibromatosis type 1.
  • Radiation therapy for cancer: Radiation treatment for cancer increases the risk of developing a sarcoma later.
  • Chronic swelling (lymphedema). Lymphedema is swelling caused by a backup of lymph fluid that occurs when the lymphatic system is blocked or damaged. It increases the risk of a type of sarcoma called angiosarcoma.
  • Exposure to chemicals. Certain chemicals, such as some industrial chemicals and herbicides, can increase the risk of sarcoma that affects the liver.
  • Exposure to viruses. The virus called human herpesvirus 8 can increase the risk of a type of sarcoma called Kaposi’s sarcoma in people with weakened immune systems.

 

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All our human human tissue collections, human specimens and human bio-fluids are provided with detailed samples associated patient’s clinical data. This critical patient’s clinical data includes information relating to their past and current disease, treatment history, lifestyle choices, biomarkers and genetic information. Patient’s data is extremely valuable for researchers and is used to help identify new effective treatments (drug discovery & development) in oncology, other therapeutic areas and diseases. This clinical information is critical to demonstrate their impact, monitor the safety of medicines, testing & diagnostics, and generate new knowledge about the causes of disease and illness. 

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In addition to the standard processing protocols Bay Biosciences can also provide human plasma, serum, PBMC bio-fluid samples using custom processing protocols, you can buy donor specific sample collections in higher volumes and specified sample aliquoting from us. Bay Biosciences also provides human samples from normal healthy donors, volunteers, for controls and clinical research, contact us Now.

 

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