Cerebral sarcoma

Cerebral sarcoma is a type of cancer that affects mesenchymal cells in the brain. Mesenchymal cells are found in the bones, cartilage, fat, muscle, and blood vessels. It is very rare for a sarcoma to begin in the brain, thus cerebral sarcomas typically begin growing somewhere else in the body and later spread to the brain in a process known as metastasis.

Symptoms of cerebral sarcoma can include poor coordination, lethargy, headache, memory loss, numbness, personality changes, seizures, vision changes, vomiting, and weakness. The risk of developing a sarcoma can be increased by the presence of inherited gene mutations or by exposure to chemicals or radiation that can cause mutations. Brain tumors are dangerous because they can cause high pressure inside the skull, damaging surrounding brain tissue.

In order to diagnose cerebral sarcoma, your doctor will likely perform imaging tests. If a mass that could be cancer is seen on imaging, a small sample or biopsy of the mass may be taken in order to make a diagnosis. Treatment for a cerebral sarcoma may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted drug treatments. Talk to your doctor for more information and to find available support groups for those affected by this condition.