Sarcoma: What to Know, What to Look For, and What to Do
With expert insight from Professor Samuel Ford, Consultant General, Upper GI and Sarcoma Surgeon
Sarcoma is one of the least understood types of cancer — and one of the easiest to miss. It can affect people of any age, appear in unexpected parts of the body, and often presents with symptoms that seem harmless at first.
This Sarcoma Awareness Month, we spoke to Professor Samuel Ford, a consultant surgeon who treats patients with soft tissue and abdominal sarcomas. Here, he shares what sarcoma really is, what signs to look out for, and why being persistent about a lump or pain could save your life.
Meet the expert: Professor Samuel Ford
Professor Samuel Ford is a Consultant General and Upper GI Surgeon at University Hospitals Birmingham and a nationally recognised specialist in soft tissue and retroperitoneal sarcoma surgery. He works as part of the Birmingham Sarcoma Centre and has a leading role in developing specialist cancer pathways for rare and complex abdominal tumours. Alongside his NHS practice, he offers private consultations across the Midlands through Get Well Soon.
What is sarcoma — and how is it different from other cancers?
“There are three main types of cancer,” Professor Ford explains. “Those that grow from organ linings — like breast, bowel or lung cancer — blood cancers like leukaemia, and then cancers that start in connective tissue. These are sarcomas.”
Sarcomas grow from things that hold the body together — muscle, fat, bone, tendons, cartilage, and nerves. That means they can turn up almost anywhere in the body, from the leg or arm to the stomach or behind the eye.
“There are over 100 types of sarcoma,” he adds. “They behave very differently — which is why specialist treatment really matters.”
How common is sarcoma — and who’s most at risk?
Compared to most other cancers, sarcomas are very rare.
“Most GPs or hospital doctors might only see a few cases in their whole careers,” says Professor Ford. “That’s part of the problem — they’re easy to overlook.”
Sarcoma doesn’t just affect older people. It can occur at any age, though we tend to see more cases in the young and the elderly.
What are the early warning signs?
Sarcoma symptoms depend on where in the body the cancer starts. Here’s what to look out for:
Arms or legs
- A lump that’s growing, often bigger than a golf ball
- May feel deep or fixed to muscle or bone
- Can be painful, but not always
Bones
- Swelling and tenderness in or around a bone
- Pain that’s often worse at night
- Usually affects one side of the body
Abdomen
- Feeling full, sick, or noticing a mass in the tummy
- Often picked up unexpectedly on CT or MRI scans
“Because sarcoma can happen anywhere, the symptoms vary,” says Professor Ford.
“But if something’s growing, painful, or just doesn’t feel right — get it checked.”
Why early diagnosis makes a big difference
“With sarcoma, the earlier we catch it, the better the outcomes,” Professor Ford says.
Larger sarcomas can invade the body around them, making surgery more difficult and increasing the risk of the cancer spreading. If not treated early, high-grade sarcomas can move to the lungs or liver, making long-term cure more difficult.
“The bigger or more advanced the tumour, the bigger the operation needed. That’s why early detection is so important.”
What to do if you find a lump or have unexplained pain
“Your GP is usually the first stop,” says Professor Ford. “They might arrange an ultrasound or MRI or refer you to a sarcoma centre. If they think it’s something benign, they may also offer reassurance.”
But if you’re not satisfied — or symptoms don’t go away — don’t be afraid to speak up.
“It’s also possible to self-refer privately to see a sarcoma specialist,” he adds. “Get Well Soon can help with that.”
What does treatment usually involve?
“There are many types of sarcoma, and they each need different approaches,” Professor Ford explains. “But generally speaking, surgery is the main treatment — and often the only chance of cure.”
Some patients may also need:
- Radiotherapy before or after surgery
- Chemotherapy, depending on the sarcoma type
- Scans for monitoring to catch recurrence or spread early
Why seeing a specialist sarcoma team is so important
“The best outcomes happen when sarcomas are treated in specialist centres,” says Professor Ford.
Doctors and surgeons who regularly treat sarcoma are:
- More familiar with the behaviour of different subtypes
- Better equipped to plan surgery or other therapies
- More likely to offer access to clinical trials and new treatments
“Managing sarcoma isn’t just about cutting it out — it’s about balancing surgery with other treatments. That balance is something sarcoma teams understand really well.”
What support is available?
“Sarcoma UK is a brilliant resource,” says Professor Ford.
They offer:
- A free Sarcoma Support Line
- Opportunities to connect with other patients
- Support for families and carers
- Easy-to-understand information on treatment and recovery
You can find them at sarcoma.org.uk
Why awareness is still low — and how to change that
“Sarcomas are rare, so they’re not always on people’s radar — even doctors,” says Professor Ford.
“Symptoms like lumps or aches are so common, and usually harmless. But it’s that overlap that makes sarcomas easy to miss. Sometimes the worrying ones get lost among the harmless ones.”
That’s why persistence matters.
“If something’s changing, growing, or doesn’t sit right — keep asking questions until you get a clear answer.”
What gives you hope for the future?
“The outlook for sarcoma is improving,” says Professor Ford. “We now have specialist services across the UK, more collaboration between teams, and better awareness.”
He’s especially encouraged by ongoing research and international cooperation.
“Even the rarest sarcomas are now part of global data sharing. That means more learning, faster progress, and more patients getting the right treatment.”
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