Hi, I’m Geeta Patel, and I want to share my story of facing alveolar soft part sarcoma.
With a tumour the size of my hand, I realised that when it comes to sarcoma, size does matter. Join me in supporting Sarcoma Awareness Month and spreading the message of early detection and timely intervention. Together, we can make a difference.
Before my diagnosis, I did not even know the word sarcoma existed, let alone what it was!
In August 2020, I found a lump the size of my hand on my leg in the bath. I immediately booked an ultrasound via the GP. After multiple X-rays, MRI scans, and biopsies, they confirmed it was alveolar soft part sarcoma. After a full-body CT scan, they also confirmed that I had multiple bilateral tumours in my lungs, and it was unfortunately at stage 4. This means it is incurable.
Since my diagnosis, I have had surgery on my right leg to remove the lump, as well as the muscle around it, so my full hamstring has now been removed. I also had six weeks of radiotherapy in the area, and 16 rounds of immunotherapy which unfortunately didn’t work. I was then declined a clinical trial and put onto palliative end-of-life care with no further treatment. However, I didn’t give up and continued to push for the trial. This was granted in March 2022 and thanks to this phase three clinical trial my lung tumours are now stable.
It was difficult to cope, especially during the pandemic, which made hospital visits harder as I had to attend hospital on my own. Despite all of this, my friends and family really helped me get through it, especially my mum and husband Ankush.
I decided to raise funds for Sarcoma UK through my sponsored walk because sarcoma is so rare. I want to raise awareness so that people can check lumps all over their bodies, and not just in the most talked about areas.
Because there is no cure for my type of cancer, I want more research to be conducted into sarcoma, to hopefully find a cure and to understand the disease more, as other cancers are more common. There are more ways to manage other types, but I hope it will be possible to find something that manages cancers like mine, and hopefully gets rid of them.
I want to encourage people to check for lumps all over their body regularly. I am determined to stay positive and have a wonderful future with my husband. Watch an extended version of Geeta’s story.
If you would like to talk to someone, you can contact our Support Line on 0808 801 0401, supportline@sarcoma.org.uk or text 07860 058830
What is Sarcoma?
We shine a spotlight on sarcoma, looking at what it is, its causes, common symptoms, and available treatments. You will also find links here to further information and how to reach out for support if you or someone you know is affected by sarcoma.
What is Sarcoma?
We shine a spotlight on sarcoma, looking at what it is, its causes, common symptoms, and available treatments. You will also find links here to further information and how to reach out for support if you or someone you know is affected by sarcoma.
