Sarcoma is a term that encompasses a wide variety of cancers that originate in the bones and soft tissues of the body. Soft tissues are the materials that support, connect, and surround other structures in your body. This includes muscles, fat, blood vessels, nerves, tendons, and joint linings. When cancer develops in these soft tissues, it is known as soft tissue sarcoma.
There is a significant diversity within sarcomas, with many different subtypes recognized. These cancers can occur in almost any part of the body. The approach to treating sarcoma is highly individualized, depending on the specific type of sarcoma, its location, and other patient-specific factors.
Types of Sarcoma
Sarcomas are broadly categorized into two main types based on their origin:
- Soft Tissue Sarcomas: These are more common and can arise in soft tissues throughout the body. Examples include:
- Liposarcoma: Develops in fat tissue.
- Leiomyosarcoma: Forms in smooth muscle tissue.
- Fibrosarcoma: Originates in fibrous connective tissue.
- Synovial sarcoma: Arises in tissue around joints or tendons.
- Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS): A common type in older adults, often in the limbs.
- Angiosarcoma: Starts in the lining of blood vessels or lymph vessels.
- Rhabdomyosarcoma: Develops in skeletal muscle tissue, more common in children.
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST): Occurs in the digestive tract, although sometimes considered separately from other soft tissue sarcomas.
- Bone Sarcomas (Osteosarcomas): These begin in the bone. The most common types are:
- Osteosarcoma: The most frequent type of bone cancer, often occurring in children and young adults.
- Chondrosarcoma: Starts in cartilage cells, more common in adults.
- Ewing sarcoma: Can occur in bone or soft tissue, more often in children and young adults.
Symptoms of Sarcoma
The signs and symptoms of sarcoma can vary depending on the location and size of the tumor. Common symptoms may include:
- A noticeable lump: This may be felt under the skin. It might or might not be painful. Sarcomas often present as a growing mass.
- Bone pain: Pain in a bone, which might be persistent or worsen over time.
- Unexplained bone fracture: A bone that breaks unexpectedly, without a significant injury or even from a minor injury. This is also known as a pathologic fracture.
- Abdominal pain: Pain in the belly area, which can be a symptom of sarcomas located in the abdomen.
- Unintentional weight loss: Losing weight without trying can be a general sign of cancer, including sarcoma.
When to Seek Medical Advice
It’s essential to consult with a doctor or healthcare professional if you experience any persistent symptoms that are concerning to you. Early detection is crucial for effective sarcoma treatment. If you notice a new lump, unexplained pain, or any of the symptoms mentioned above, schedule an appointment to get them evaluated.
Causes of Sarcoma
The exact causes of sarcoma are not fully understood. Sarcoma, like all cancers, begins with genetic mutations within cells. These mutations cause cells in the bone or soft tissue to grow uncontrollably.
Normally, cells in the body follow a regulated process of growth, division, and death. This process is governed by the instructions encoded in a cell’s DNA. In cancer, genetic changes disrupt these instructions. In sarcoma, these DNA changes lead cells to:
- Grow and multiply rapidly: Cancer cells divide and create new cells much faster than normal cells.
- Ignore signals to stop growing: Healthy cells stop growing when they receive signals, but cancer cells lose this ability.
- Evade cell death: Cancer cells can live much longer than normal cells, accumulating in the body.
This uncontrolled growth can result in a mass of tissue called a tumor. Sarcoma tumors can invade and destroy surrounding healthy tissues. Over time, sarcoma cells can metastasize, meaning they break away from the primary tumor and spread to other parts of the body, forming secondary tumors.
Risk Factors for Sarcoma
While the precise causes are unclear, several factors can increase the risk of developing sarcoma:
- Inherited Genetic Syndromes: Some inherited conditions passed down from parents can significantly increase sarcoma risk. These include:
- Li-Fraumeni syndrome: Increases the risk of various cancers, including sarcomas.
- Familial retinoblastoma: Primarily known for eye cancer, but also raises sarcoma risk.
- Neurofibromatosis type 1: A genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow along nerves, increasing sarcoma risk.
- Previous Radiation Therapy: Radiation treatment for prior cancers can, in some cases, increase the risk of developing sarcoma later in the treated area. This is a known but relatively rare long-term effect.
- Lymphedema: Chronic lymphedema, which is swelling caused by blockage or damage to the lymphatic system, increases the risk of a specific type of sarcoma called angiosarcoma.
- Viral Exposure: In individuals with weakened immune systems, infection with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) is linked to an increased risk of Kaposi sarcoma, another type of sarcoma.
Understanding sarcoma cancer, its types, symptoms, and risk factors is the first step towards early detection and seeking appropriate medical care. If you have concerns about sarcoma or experience related symptoms, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and guidance.
References
- Ferri FF. Sarcoma. In: Ferri’s Clinical Advisor 2025. Elsevier; 2025. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 20, 2024.
- Niederhuber JE, et al., eds. Sarcomas of soft tissue. In: Abeloff’s Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Aug. 20, 2024.
- Soft tissue sarcoma. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail?category=1&id=1464. June 25, 2024.
- Bone cancer. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. https://www.nccn.org/guidelines/guidelines-detail?category=1&id=1418. Accessed June 25, 2024.
- Salerno KE, et al. Radiation therapy for treatment of soft tissue sarcoma in adults: Executive summary of an ASTRO clinical practice guideline. Practical Radiation Oncology. 2021; doi:10.1016/j.prro.2021.04.005.
