Calling for national policy attention on one of the rarest yet highly curable childhood cancers, experts at the Indo–Italian Consensus Meet on Sarcoma and Complex Orthopaedic Reconstruction have warned that delayed diagnosis, misinterpretation of early symptoms, and inadequate first-line treatment continue to cost young children their limbs, and in many cases, their lives.
The two-day conference, held in Bengaluru on December 5 and 6 and organised by the Global Healthcare Academy, brought together over 200 oncologists, orthopaedic surgeons, paediatric cancer specialists, radiologists, and reconstructive surgeons from India, Italy, Malaysia and Singapore.
Among those leading the deliberations were B.S. Ajaikumar, founder and chairman of HealthCare Global Enterprises (HCG); Pramod Chinder, group director-Orthopaedic Oncology, HCG Cancer Centre; and senior faculty from Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli in Bologna, including Marco Manfrini and Laura Campanacci.
“Sarcomas are preventable from becoming life- and limb-threatening when diagnosed early and treated the right way, the first time,” said Dr. Ajaikumar. Stressing the need for a nationwide Sarcoma Registry, he called for rapid access to MRI diagnostics, multidisciplinary care, and decentralised treatment facilities.
Early signs missed
Experts said sarcomas are frequently mistaken for sports injuries or “growing pains” in children. Registry data shows 68% of Ewing sarcoma cases occur in those aged 0-19 years, with incidence peaking between 10 and 14 years.
Warning signs for parents include persistent bone pain – especially night pain – swelling around joints, unexplained limping, fatigue, recurrent fever or fractures from minor falls.
“The biggest tragedy is when a child loses a limb simply because the first surgery was not done right,” said Dr. Chinder. “Early MRI, correct biopsy, and a multidisciplinary tumour board are non-negotiable”.
India–Italy collaboration
Italy’s sarcoma programme is regarded as among the global best. The partnership, experts said, will enhance access to robotic navigation, 3D-printed customised implants, targeted chemotherapy and image-guided minimally invasive treatment.
Published – December 06, 2025 10:43 pm IST
