Sarcoma is a type of cancer that can occur in various locations in the body, including bones and soft tissues. Soft tissue sarcoma forms in the tissues that connect, support, and surround other body structures, such as muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves, tendons, and the lining of joints. There are more than 70 types of sarcoma, and the type of sarcoma determines the treatment options. Some common types of sarcoma include:
- Angiosarcoma
- Chondrosarcoma
- Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
- Desmoplastic small round cell tumors
- Epithelioid sarcoma
- Ewing sarcoma
- Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)
- Kaposi sarcoma
- Leiomyosarcoma
- Liposarcoma
- Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors
- Myxofibrosarcoma
- Osteosarcoma
- Rhabdomyosarcoma
- Soft tissue sarcoma
- Solitary fibrous tumor
- Synovial sarcoma
- Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma
Sarcomas form when immature bone or soft tissue cells have changes to their DNA, and they develop into cancer cells that grow in an unregulated way. They may eventually form a mass or tumor that can invade nearby healthy tissues. Left untreated, the cancer can travel via the bloodstream or lymphatic system from the primary location where it formed to other organs (metastasis) . Symptoms of sarcoma depend on the tumors size and location, and they can include a lump that can be felt through the skin, bone pain, a broken bone that happens unexpectedly, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Treatment for sarcoma varies depending on the type of sarcoma, location, and other factors, and it can include surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
