Myxoid Liposarcoma - Procedures, Side effects, Recovery time, Costs and alternatives

Liposarcoma is a rare connective tissue cancer that resembles fat cells under a microscope. This type of ‎cancer can occur in any part of the body, however half of the cases involved in the thigh and some ‎cases involve in the abdominal cavity. Liposarcoma affects adults between 40-60 years. It occurs in ‎children during the teenage. Out of four types of liposarcoma, Myxoid liposarcoma is one type. ‎Myxoid liposarcoma is an intermediate to a high-grade tumor. Though its cells look less normal under ‎the microscope they may have a high-grade component. This is the second most common group of ‎liposarcoma. These slow-growing malignant tumor soft tissues typically present on the limbs. ‎

A very common form of liposarcoma, “Myxoid sarcoma cancer tumors” occur in the leg with an ‎elevated risk of recurring in other soft tissue sites or in bones such as the spine and pelvis. An ‎occurrence of this tumor in the retroperitoneal space is quite rare. Myxoid Liposarcoma treatment ‎involves a surgical excision and removal of the tumor. However, it can metastasize to the bone and ‎soft tissues in the body and it has the tendency to relapse. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy is ‎administered depending upon the specific cases.‎

Surgery: The goal of the surgery is to remove the entire tumor with at least 1-2 cm of the normal ‎tissues around it and to make sure that no cancer cells are left behind. When the removed tissue is ‎viewed under a microscope, the physician will check whether the cancer is growing in the margins of ‎the specimen. If the cancer cells are found at the edges of the removed tissue, it is called positive ‎margins. When cancer cells are left even after surgery, extra treatment, such as radiation or ‎chemotherapy is needed. If the cancer is not growing at the edges of the removed tissues, then it is ‎called negative or clear margins. The sarcoma has less chance of relapse once the clear margin is ‎removed. ‎

Chemo & Radiation: If the lymph nodes nigh to the tumor are enlarged, cancer may be in them. ‎During the surgery, some of the swollen nodes may be sent to the lab and the same will be checked for ‎cancer. If the cancer is found, then the lymph nodes in the area will be removed. Radiation will be ‎administered in the surgical site after the surgery.‎

Sometimes either radiation or chemotherapy or both may be given before the surgery which is called ‎neoadjuvant treatment. As it is used to shrink the tumor, the tumor can be completely removed. ‎

Radiation or chemo is also given before surgery to treat high-grade sarcomas where there is a high risk ‎of the cancer spread. Radiation and/or chemotherapy are also used after the surgery which is called ‎adjuvant treatment. The goal of the treatment is to kill any cancer cells which may be left out in the ‎body and to decrease the risk of cancer relapse.‎

Chemo produces nausea, vomiting, hair loss, loss of appetite, fatigue, mouth sores and low blood ‎counts. Low blood cells count may lead to increased chance of infection, problems with bruising and ‎bleeding, weakness and fatigue. ‎

Nausea, vomiting, skin changes which can range from redness to blistering and peeling, diarrhea, pain ‎during swallowing, bones weakness, swelling, pain and weakness in the limb, hair loss, impaired ‎thinking, and headaches are radiation therapy’s side effects.‎

Myxoid liposarcoma surgery has some major side effects such as damage to nearby organs, heavy ‎bleeding, and infection at the surgery site, blood clots in the lungs or legs, adverse reactions with ‎anesthesia.‎

Radiation therapy: Eat food with high protein and calories, be mentally prepared for the hair loss in ‎the treated area, when your mouth or throat becomes dry, pats it up with ice cubs, sip ample amount ‎of water, take rest, don’t scrub or use soap on the treated area, avoid sun exposure especially on the ‎treated area, wear loose, soft cloths to avoid rubbing on the skin.‎

Chemotherapy: Don’t allow the persons with infections, since chemotherapy weakens your immune ‎system. Do drink lots of fluids within 48 hours after chemotherapy as it could help to wash out the ‎drug from the body. Make sure to get rid of all drugs after chemotherapy in the forms of defecation, ‎urination.‎

Surgery: Some sarcoma surgeries would be major that take a couple of days to stay in bed. The patient ‎will be advised to wear inflatable boots or elastic stockings to prevent blood clots formation. The ‎patient may also be administered with anti-clotting injections for blood thinning.‎

Radiotherapy: Approximately one whole month may take for recovery; however it varies from every ‎patient

Surgery: Recovery depends on the surgical site and the type of operation performed

Chemotherapy: The average cost for initial treatment is approximately Rs.75,000/ for each cycle. ‎Expenses vary depends on the drugs, stage of cancer, and other factors of the patient.‎

Radiation therapy: Approximately starts at 30,000/-‎

Surgery, Chemo and radiotherapy treatment results cannot be forecast. Unless and until the patient ‎does not have any relapses, it seems the treatment works out well.‎

Chemo and radiation therapy has alternative treatments such as Immunotherapy, Proteolytic Enzyme ‎Therapy, Frankincense Essential Oil Therapy, Oxygen Therapy and Hyperbaric Chambers, Integrative ‎Medicine, High doses of Vitamin C.‎ Low grade and high grade sarcomas are treated ONLY with surgery which is combined with chemo or ‎radiation therapy. ‎