04/12/15 - Well, it appears the doctor wasn't just humouring me after all when he said there wasn't anything I could've done to prevent this. After five days of putting it off, I finally got around to Googling "myxoid liposarcoma". Whoever told me it was rare wasn't kidding. To my surprise, I had to dig a bit through the Google results to find the info I was seeking. However, I did manage to come across this, once again from the Sarcoma Help website (http://sarcomahelp.org/liposarcoma.html):
"Perhaps the best characterized genetic association is that found with myxoid liposarcoma. This represents a translocation, or sharing of genetic material between two chromosomes. In myxoid liposarcoma, the translocation is between chromosome 12 and 16. The result is a gene called TLS-CHOP which is an oncogene, or gene that when expressed can lead to the formation of cancer. This particular translocation and its products are found only in myxoid liposarcoma and therefore are diagnostic of this tumor (Rubin 1997)."
So, if I understand this correctly, basically, it's in my DNA, which seems to make sense, since my grandpa had a type of sarcoma at 85 in his elbow. His may have been a different subtype, though, as those with myxoid liposarcomas tend to get them between 40-60 years of age in their thigh. Still, it's nice to see evidence of this genetic link in writing, because despite what everyone's been telling me, if I'm honest, I never did stop blaming myself, even after the doctor told me it wasn't my fault.
***[EDIT/CORRECTION - 04/21/15]*** After finally getting my second consultation, I discovered what the above quote is referring to are just genetic markers to help identify WHAT variant of cancer doctors are dealing with! THERE IS NO KNOWN GENETIC component to myxoid liposarcoma! In fact, according to the Sarcoma Alliance website, scientists are still trying to figure out what causes sarcomas!
Another interesting thing I stumbled upon in the above mentioned article is that myxoid sarcomas have a misleadingly benign appearance, thus explaining why my family doctor initially agreed that it SEEMED to appear benign but that more tests & a specialist were needed to be sure.
Ugh, and now I know why I put off reading Google...once again courtesy of: http://sarcomahelp.org/liposarcoma.html:
"There are four types of liposarcoma, each with its own unique characteristics and behaviours.
1. Well-differentiated liposarcoma is the most common subtype and usually starts as a low grade tumor. Low grade tumor cells look much like normal fat cells under the microscope and tend to grow and change slowly.
2. Myxoid liposarcoma is an intermediate to high grade tumor. Its cells look less normal under the microscope and may have a high grade component.
3. Pleomorphic liposarcoma is the rarest subtype and is a high grade tumor with cells that look very different from normal cells.
4. Dedifferentiated liposarcoma occurs when a low grade tumor changes, and the newer cells in the tumor are high grade.
The risk of recurrence and metastasis with liposarcoma increases with higher grade."
So, once again, if I'm understanding this correctly, myxoid liposarcomas have a tendency to have a medium to higher grade, and thus a greater chance of spreading. Greeeaaat. I think I'll stop reading now! Ignorance is bliss. Sticks fingers in ears & covers eyes...lalalalaaaaa!!!
[EDIT - 04/19/15] - After reading some more of the material at sarcoma help.org, it seems there are two variants of myxoid liposarcoma. While myxoid liposarcoma can be intermediate in grade, there is a higher grade sub-type variant known as myxoid-round cell liposarcoma. I have no idea which variant I have but will know once I have my second consultation.
I also did some reading on the five & ten year survival rates, and they seem promising, assuming of course the cancer hasn't spread. At the five-year point it's 88%, and it's 76% at the ten-year mark. This makes me feel a lot better. Now let's just cross every appendage possible it hasn't spread...
*[NOTE: The title of this post was yet again inspired by a lyric within Placebo's "Post Blue" track from their "Meds" album. :) ]
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