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Mum's 'Muscle Strain' Was Rare Cancer
8 Dec
Summary
- A rare, aggressive liposarcoma was discovered after initial symptoms were dismissed as muscle strain.
- A growth on the arm rapidly expanded to six centimetres within days.
- The patient underwent a seven-hour surgery to remove the tumour from her arm.
A mother who attributed her arm pain to a strained muscle was diagnosed with liposarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer. Laura Isom, 58, noticed a growth on her arm that quickly enlarged to six centimetres, initially believing it to be a minor issue related to age. Her condition was eventually identified as liposarcoma, a cancer originating in fat cells, which accounts for less than 1% of UK cancer diagnoses.
Facing weeks of discomfort and difficulty using her left hand, Laura sought medical advice, leading to an MRI and referral to the National Sarcoma Unit. A subsequent biopsy confirmed the liposarcoma diagnosis. Her treatment plan involved radiotherapy to shrink the tumour, followed by surgical removal. She ultimately underwent a seven-hour operation to extract the growth, which left her with nerve damage and a significant scar.
Laura is now undergoing radiotherapy and regular chest X-rays to monitor for any spread of the cancer, though initial tests showed stable nodules possibly from a previous infection. She participated in a recent fundraising event for Sarcoma UK, highlighting the importance of trusting one's instincts and seeking medical attention for persistent symptoms. Research into liposarcoma offers hope for more effective treatments.
