Florida.— Although few know it, sarcoma is a lethal enemy that can rob you of a leg, an arm… or even life. This aggressive cancer, which accounts for just 1% of oncological cases, advances without showing its face, hides under the skin like a seemingly harmless mass, and when it reveals itself… sometimes it’s too late. But there is hope: if detected in time, not only can it be treated, limbs can be saved!
The renowned Latin American orthopedic oncologist Dr. Jorge Manrique, director of the sarcoma program at Cleveland Clinic Florida, speaks out in Sarcoma Awareness Month and issues an urgent call: “If it is not suspected, it is not diagnosed. And if it is not diagnosed in time, the consequences can be devastating.”
This cancer develops in muscles, bones, cartilage or tendons, and hits adolescents and young adults especially hard. The catch? It often grows without pain. Just a mass that appears, grows rapidly and is often ignored until it’s too late. “A simple MRI with contrast can make the difference between keeping a leg or losing it,” warns Manrique.
Despite technological advances in robotic surgery, reconstruction, and oncological treatments, the real change has come from multidisciplinary medical teams. At Cleveland Clinic Florida, Manrique leads an elite team that includes oncologists, surgeons, pathologists, radiologists, and more, working together to provide rapid and precise answers. The key: immediate action upon any suspicion.
But the biggest challenge is in Latin America: lack of access, misinformation, and late diagnoses. Therefore, Dr. Manrique insists that this cancer must cease to be unknown and become a public health priority. “Sarcoma doesn’t warn, but it does give signs. Listening to them in time saves lives,” he states.
This July, Cleveland Clinic Florida redoubles efforts to raise awareness of this type of cancer which, although rare, can have irreversible consequences. Detecting it early not only saves lives, but also preserves functions, mobility, and dignity.
Who is Dr. Jorge Manrique?
A Latin pride. Colombian doctor trained at the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, specializing in joint replacement at the prestigious Rothman Institute (USA) and subspecializing in orthopedic oncology at the University of Washington. Today, he leads the sarcoma program of one of the world’s most recognized medical institutions. He has published more than 30 scientific investigations and is part of the most influential medical associations in the sector.
With over 100 years of history, this non-profit institution is synonymous with medical excellence. With locations in the U.S., Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, it has over 77,000 healthcare professionals, 6,699 beds, and hundreds of thousands of surgeries a year. A center where science, compassion, and innovation go hand in hand to save lives.
¡Alerta! El sarcoma: el cáncer “silencioso” que amenaza las extremidades y puede detectarse a tiempo
