Karmanos Cancer Institute Recognizes Sarcoma Awareness Month

DETROIT, July 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, cancer centers, and other organizations nationwide recognize July as Sarcoma Awareness Month. Sarcomas are rare tumors that make up about 1% of all adult cancers and 15% of childhood cancers. In 2025, over 13,500 new cases of sarcoma will be diagnosed in the U.S. Karmanos offers an expert team dedicated to diagnosing and treating these uncommon tumors.

What is Sarcoma?
"Sarcomas are cancers originating in bone or soft tissues, for example, fat, muscle, nerves, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, or deep skin tissue. Soft tissue sarcomas are more common in adults and bone sarcomas are more common in children," explained Steve Kim, M.D., FACS, surgical oncologist and member of the Sarcoma Oncology Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) at Karmanos.

Sarcoma Risk Factors
Some familial (i.e., inherited) cancer syndromes increase a person's risk of developing soft tissue sarcomas. Unlike many other cancers, lifestyle factors such as smoking, diet and exercise are not linked to the risk of soft tissue sarcoma.

Sarcoma Treatment at Karmanos Cancer Institute
Sarcomas on the extremities most frequently present as slowly growing masses. Given their rarity and potentially aggressive nature, it is important that treatment be done at a major cancer center with experience in these tumors, like Karmanos. At Karmanos, sarcoma is treated by the Sarcoma Oncology MDT, which includes surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, pharmacists, dietitians, social workers, and genetic counselors. The team focuses entirely on treating sarcoma malignancies and shares its collective expertise to create a customized treatment plan for each patient.

Karmanos' team of sarcoma oncology specialists is among the best in the world. The team collectively designs and conducts clinical trials and translational research. They contribute to publications on the surgical and medical management of these malignancies.

To schedule an appointment with the Sarcoma Oncology Multidisciplinary Team at Karmanos, click here.

About the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
Karmanos Cancer Institute is a leader in transformative cancer care, research and education through courage, commitment and compassion. The Karmanos vision is a world free of cancer. As part of McLaren Health Care, Karmanos is the largest provider of cancer care and research in Michigan. For more than 75 years, the administrative and research headquarters, along with the premier specialty cancer hospital, have been located in downtown Detroit. With multiple network sites, Karmanos delivers world-renowned care and access to clinical trials throughout Michigan and northern Ohio. The National Cancer Institute recognizes Karmanos as one of the best cancer centers in the nation with a comprehensive cancer center designation. Its academic partnership with the Wayne State University School of Medicine provides the framework for cancer research and education – defining new standards of care and improving survivorship. For more information, call 1-800-KARMANOS (800-527-6266) or visit karmanos.org. Follow Karmanos on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

SOURCE Karmanos Cancer Institute