Soft Tissue Sarcomas

What is Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

Soft tissue sarcoma is a rare group of cancers that begin in the body’s connective and supportive tissues. These tissues include fat, muscle, blood vessels, nerves, tendons, and the deeper layers of the skin. Soft tissue sarcoma
often appears as a tumor, which may feel like a lump, bump, or mass that grows within these tissues.

Approximately three-quarters of all sarcoma diagnoses fall into the soft tissue category.

Types Of Sarcoma Cancers

Where Soft Tissue Sarcomas Develop

Soft tissue sarcomas can form in any part of the body. They are most commonly found in the arms or legs, but
they can also begin in the abdomen, chest, pelvis, back, head, or neck. Because soft tissues are flexible, a tumor may grow for some time before it becomes noticeable.

Common areas where soft tissue sarcoma may occur include:

Muscles

Fatty tissues

Blood vessels

Nerves

Tendons

Connective tissues surrounding organs and joints

How Common Is Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Soft tissue sarcomas can form in any part of the body. They are most commonly found in the arms or legs, but they can also begin in the abdomen, chest, pelvis, back, head, or neck. Because soft tissues are flexible, a tumor may grow for some time before it becomes noticeable.

Signs and Symptoms

Soft tissue sarcomas can form in any part of the body. They are most commonly found in the arms or legs, but they can also begin in the abdomen, chest, pelvis, back, head, or neck. Because soft tissues are flexible, a tumor may grow for some time before it becomes noticeable.

Symptoms may include:

A lump or swelling that increases in size

Pain or soreness if the tumor presses on muscles, nerves, or organs

Limited movement or stiffness near a growing mass

Feeling of fullness or pressure in the abdomen if a tumor develops deep inside the body

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Desmoid Tumor (AKA Aggressive Fibromatosis)

Diagnosing soft tissue sarcoma requires a thoughtful and careful process. Many lumps are benign, and determining the exact type of tumor is essential.

Diagnostic steps may include:

Imaging

Scans such as MRI, CT, or ultrasound help doctors understand the size, location, and characteristics of a mass.
These images guide next steps and help determine whether the mass appears suspicious for sarcoma.

Biopsy

A biopsy is the only way to confirm a diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma. During a biopsy, a surgeon removes a
small piece of the tumor or, in some cases, the entire mass. The sample is then examined under a microscope by a pathologist trained in identifying sarcoma.

Because proper biopsy technique is important for safe treatment planning, biopsies should be performed by a
surgeon or care team experienced in sarcoma.

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Common Soft Tissue Sarcoma Subtypes

The list below includes several of the most frequently diagnosed soft tissue sarcomas. It is not a complete list, and itmay not include the exact subtype that you or your loved one has been diagnosed with. Your oncology team can provide information tailored to your specific diagnosis.

Work With Your Care Team

Every soft tissue sarcoma diagnosis is unique. Your oncology team will help guide you through understanding your exact subtype, the best treatment options, and any additional information you may need as you move forward

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Soft Tissue Sarcoma