Paras Health Panchkula Advocates Timely Intervention for Rare Cancers This Sarcoma Awareness Month
Panchkula, 30th July 2025: As part of Sarcoma Awareness Month, Paras Health Panchkula is stepping up efforts to raise awareness about sarcomas—rare but aggressive cancers that affect the bones and soft tissues. Known for their subtle onset and rapid progression, sarcomas require early detection and a specialized, multidisciplinary treatment approach to improve patient outcomes and preserve quality of life.
Sarcomas are among the rarest forms of cancer. Despite their rarity, they pose serious challenges due to their painless symptoms and highly variable presentation. These cancers can originate in bones, muscles, fat, nerves, or connective tissues and typically present as persistent swelling, unexplained pain, or limited mobility. In India, the average time between symptom onset and diagnosis of sarcoma is estimated to range from four to six months—often leading to advanced-stage detection, when treatment becomes significantly more complex and outcomes less favorable.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Cancer Registry Programme (ICMR-NCRP), India is projected to record 1.57 million new cancer cases in 2025, marking a sharp rise from 1.39 million in 2020. This increasing cancer load—paired with diagnostic delays in rare conditions like sarcoma—highlights the urgent need for stronger early detection systems. The country’s overall cancer burden is also expected to cross 29.8 million DALYs (Disability-Adjusted Life Years) by 2025, further underscoring the clinical and socioeconomic impact of delayed diagnoses.
Commenting on the criticality of early diagnosis, Dr. Jagandeep Singh Virk, Senior Consultant, Ortho Oncology and Orthopedics and Joint Replacement Surgery , Paras Health Panchkula, said, “Sarcoma is rare, but when missed, the consequences can be life-altering. A delay of even ten days can mean the difference between saving a limb or requiring amputation. That’s why we are actively training orthopedists, physiotherapists, and family doctors to consider sarcoma when pain lingers despite normal imaging. Early detection not only increases survival chances but also preserves mobility and reduces the physical and emotional toll on patients.”
Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Facility Director, Paras Health Panchkula added, At Paras Health Panchkula, we acknowledge that managing a plethora of rare cancers like sarcoma is more than just clinical care; it, in fact, entails a strategic multidisciplinary approach. We, as a health care institution, are constantly building upon the best diagnostic processes, multidisciplinary expertise, and care pathways for the delivery of well-timed and effective treatment. Alongside that, community awareness also holds great importance, for which we are engaged in educating patients and primary care providers about the early signs of sarcoma. Bridging clinical excellence with outreach and accessibility would, we hope, help cut down the time of diagnosis and enhance results for the largely rare but life-changing cancers.
Paras Health Panchkula’s Orthopaedic Oncology team plays a central role in diagnosing and treating these complex cases. The hospital offers a comprehensive model of care, including advanced imaging, image-guided biopsies, limb-sparing surgeries, and structured post-operative rehabilitation. This multidisciplinary approach ensures minimal surgical trauma and promotes faster, more complete recovery.
To mark Sarcoma Awareness Month, the hospital is conducting awareness drives, patient education sessions, and outreach initiatives encouraging timely consultations for persistent joint pain, unexplained lumps, or chronic bone discomfort—symptoms that are too often ignored.
Paras Health Panchkula remains committed to advancing rare cancer care through specialized clinical services, early diagnosis, and sustained community awareness—ensuring that no sarcoma case is overlooked simply because it did not appear urgent at first glance.
