Small-Blue-Round-Cell Tumors (SBRCT)
Although the name is non-threatening, SBRCT is often fatal. The disease is characterized by small round cells which stain blue on hematoxylin and eosin stain sections. Unfortunately, the tumors are more prevalent in children.
SBRCT often leads to desmoplastic small-round-cell-tumors which cause many other cancers such as Mesothelioma, Neuroblastoma, Wilms’ tumor, small cell lung cancer, small-cell lymphoma and Merkel cell carcinoma. Although most of these cancers are common among adults, they tend to occur in children if SBRCT occurs because of primitive cells present in childhood.
DSRCT (Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor)
DSRCT is a very rare, aggressive form of cancer which tends to occur in the abdomen. DSRCT can affect many other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes, abdomen lining, spleen, liver, diaphragm and chest wall. The cancer can also affect the brain, spinal cord, skull, small and large intestines, lungs, bladder, ovaries, testicles, and pelvis.
DSRCT is a soft tissue sarcoma that tends to affect boys and young men. The disease can’t be linked to a specific cause and is often misdiagnosed. Symptoms include; abdominal masses capable of growing to enormous sizes, anemia, ascites, cachexia, lack of appetite and masses affecting different areas of the body.
Like SBRCT, DSRCT can be treated in a sarcoma center because of how fast the cancer spreads. There is no specific treatment protocol for DSRCT. However, the most recent research shows that the cancer responds well to surgery, radiation therapy (after surgery) and chemotherapy.
