‘Sarcomas usually painless, any lump or swelling in muscles, bones that continues to grow can be tumour’
Dr Ashish Gulia, director, HBCHRC, said that the intent of organising this meeting was to raise awareness about sarcomas among the public.
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Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre hosted a session on its New Chandigarh campus that brought together senior doctors, sarcoma patients, and their caregivers (Tata Memorial Hospital website)In recognition of Sarcoma Awareness Month, observed globally in July, the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (HBCHRC), Punjab, hosted a session on its New Chandigarh campus that brought together senior doctors, sarcoma patients, and their caregivers for a dialogue and awareness session.
Dr Ashish Gulia, director, HBCHRC, said that the intent of organising this meeting was to raise awareness about sarcomas among the public. Explaining the symptoms and its nature, Gulia said, sarcoma is a type of cancer that can originate in muscles or bones, and treatment depends on the stage of cancer. “Any lump or swelling in the muscles or bones that continues to grow could be a tumour, and sarcomas are usually painless; however, if it causes persistent pain, there is a high chance it may be bone-related.”
He reassured patients not to panic, as effective treatments for these tumours are available and emphasised the importance of early medical consultation when symptoms appear. Gulia also spoke about the support available at the hospital, including financial aid for underprivileged patients, and underscored the value of community and peer interaction among patients and caregivers. “Being connected helps patients encourage one another and gain strength from shared experiences. Sessions like this foster a sense of unity and support. At Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital, we do everything in our power to treat every patient who comes to us. While we may not be able to save every life, we ensure that every possible treatment available in the world is made accessible to our patients,” added Gulia.
Dr Seema Gulia and Dr Nikhil Tandon explained to patients that sarcoma may require other therapies apart from surgery for treatment, and that there are different types of bone cancer, and various combinations of surgery, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy are used for different types of cancers.
Dr Prabhat Ganju and Dr Sahil Sood said that patients and their families must understand not to stop treatment after just surgery. The experts advised that patients must complete the entire treatment plan prescribed by doctors, whether it’s radiotherapy or additional chemotherapy, and stressed the importance of ensuring the full course of treatment is completed, as this is essential to save lives.
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