...Robert Urich announced in 1996 that he had been diagnosed in 1996 with synovial cell sarcoma--a very rare cancer that attacks the joints and can spread to the lungs

...several rounds of chemotherapy, radiation treatments and two surgical procedures

... Urich's doctors "found some lumps" summer, 2001, and a "wonder drug" helped clear them up.

...becoming a strong advocate for cancer research and establishing the Robert Urich Foundation for Sarcoma Research with his wife, Heather. His commitment helped raise thousands of dollars and give hope to thousands of stricken people.

...his health began to fail, forcing him to check into Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center complaining of breathing problems.  

Note:  Some industries have higher cancer rates, including the steel foundry

Questions, June 16, 2002  Father’s Day

 Robert Urich had a rare form of cancer of the joints (diagnosed 1996; died April, 2002)

In his interview with Larry King recently, he said that in his youth he worked in a steel mill.

Some of the oil spill clean up workers of Valdez, Alaska say their joints hurt all the time

It has been 13 years, but these workers were overexposed to 2-butoxyethanol, laurel phosphate, nitrogen and phosphorus -  "inipol guys", those who were nearby,  and the gals who washed the gear with solvents.

Wondering?   Might it have been some over exposure to chemicals of some type in the steel mill that Robert Urich worked in that caused his synovial cell sarcoma?

.....could be something similar happening to the  workers from the Exxon Valdez oil spill clean up? ... & should they take a test to find the source of this early?  

Thankfully, central nervous system symptoms of exposure to 2-butoxyethanol has joint pain as a symptom all its own... but still what does that mean is really happening?  bottom of this page Resources

Wouldn't it be a loss to medical science not to find them & see what the results of such overexpose causes in humans?  Could it save some lives to find them & get them help? 

  http://www.choa.org/library/hemonc/soft_tissue_sarcoma.shtml  says,
soft tissue sarcoma is a malignant tumor that grows in the soft tissues of the body. These tissues include muscles, tendons, fat blood vessels, nerves and synovial tissues. Soft tissues are the supporting structures of the body. The term sarcoma refers to a malignant tumor that starts in one of the supporting structures of the body. The different types of soft tissue sarcomas are named according to the location of the first tumor.  

Synovial Cell Sarcoma (synovioma): This is an unusual tumor that occurs in the soft tissue, but the exact tissue is not known. These tumors are usually found in the feet, knees, thighs and hands. When this type of cancer spreads, it will usually go to the lungs, bones and lymph nodes. These tumors are more common in males than in females.  

Rhabdomyosarcoma: This is the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma which is seen in children between 2-6 years of age or during the teenage years. This tumor usually develops in muscle tissue. These muscles are usually located around the bones.

Fibrosarcoma: This type of cancer is found in the fibrous tissue in the legs and arms.

Neurofibrosarcoma (malignant schwannoma): This type of cancer is found in the nerves near the surface of the legs, arms and trunk. These tumors are uncommon in children. They are sometimes associated with a condition known as Neurofibromatosis (von Recklinghausen’s disease) which causes tumors on the peripheral nerves.

Leiomyosarcoma: This tumor is usually found in the muscle of internal organs. The most common areas are the gastrointestinal tract; genitourinary tract and the respiratory tract. When this type of cancer spreads, it will usually go to the liver, lymph nodes, lungs, the lining of the abdominal cavity and the pancreas.

Hemangiopericytoma: These tumors are found in the vascular tissues which are the blood vessels. The primary tumor sites are usually blood vessels of the trunk and the extremities. When this cancer spreads it will usually go to the lungs, brain, bones and liver.

Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma: This is a rare tumor found in muscle tissue. This is a slow-growing tumor that is usually found in the thigh or abdominal wall. When this cancer spreads it usually will occur in the lungs, bones and brain. This type of tumor is more common in females than in males.

Liposarcoma: This tumor is found in the adipose (fat) tissue of the arms and legs. This is usually a rapid-growing tumor with symptoms such as fever. There is a higher number of this type of tumor in the first two years of life; males get them more than females.

Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma: This tumor is found in the fibrous tissues deep in the extremities such as the thighs.

What are some of the signs and symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma?
The signs and symptoms of these tumors may vary depending on the location of the tumor and the specific type of tumor. There may be pain and swelling around the affected tissue. If the tumor is located in a muscle or synovial tissue, the child may experience limited and painful movement of an extremity or joint. Sometimes the symptoms may be vague and go undetected for extended periods of time.

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