What is Sarcoma?
About Sarcoma
Sarcoma is a type of cancer that begins in the connective tissues of the body. These tissues include fat, blood vessels, nerves, bones, muscles, deep layers of the skin, tendons, and cartilage. Sarcoma often appears as a tumor, which may feel like a lump, bump, or mass.
Sarcomas are grouped into two main categories: bone tumors and soft tissue tumors. Each category includes more specific subtypes based on the kind of cells that make up the tumor. There are more than one hundred known types of sarcoma, and many of them are considered rare.
1.7%
Of all new cancer diagnoses in the U.S. are sarcoma
83%
5-year survival rate for patients with localized sarcoma
17k
Newly diagnosed patients each year in the United States
How Rare are Sarcoma Cancers?
Of the 1.7 million people who are diagnosed with cancer in the United States each year:
How Can You Diagnose Sarcomas?
Sometimes a cancer diagnosis is made quickly, especially when symptoms are clear and a person receives prompt medical attention. Diagnosing a new sarcoma can take longer, and this can be confusing or stressful for patients and families. A few reasons include:
Symptoms may feel vague or familiar. Many early signs of sarcoma, such as a lump, bump, or ongoing pain in a joint, are common experiences that do not always point to cancer.
Sarcoma can begin in many places. Because these tumors can form almost anywhere in the body, they may go unnoticed for some time before they cause concern.
Sarcomas may be mistaken for more common conditions. Since noncancerous issues are far more likely, sarcomas are sometimes misdiagnosed as an injury, a pulled muscle, or a benign fatty tumor known as a lipoma.
If you or a loved one is seeking clarity, know that you are not alone. Many people reach a sarcoma diagnosis only after several steps, and support is available throughout the process.
Diagnosing Sarcomas?
Sometimes the diagnosis of cancer comes quickly, if a person has obvious symptoms and received prompt evaluation. However, diagnosing a new sarcoma can sometimes be challenging. Some reasons include:
What We Know About The Causes Of Sarcoma?
Sarcomas are rare cancers, and because they occur in many different forms, researchers are still learning what causes them. Many studies group several types of sarcoma together so scientists can gather enough information to look for patterns. This approach helps advance research, even though each sarcoma subtype has its own unique characteristics. Here is what we do know:
Genetic Causes
Cancer begins when something changes in the DNA of a cell. DNA acts as the body’s blueprint, and changes to that blueprint are called mutations.
Some mutations are present at birth, while others develop over time. Most are harmless, but certain mutations can cause cells to grow in ways they should not, which can lead to cancer.
Most gene mutations happen by chance. A smaller number are inherited from a parent. Inherited genetic conditions account for about five to ten percent of all cancers, and only a small portion of those are associated with sarcoma.When a hereditary risk is suspected, a doctor may recommend genetic testing through a simple blood or saliva sample.
Environmental Causes
While most sarcomas cannot be linked to a specific cause, a few environmental factors are known to increase risk:
A viral infection called Human Herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) can lead to a type of sarcoma known as Kaposi sarcoma. This is more common in people with weakened immune systems, including those living with AIDS.
Previous treatment with ionizing radiation or certain chemotherapy drugs may slightly increase the chance of developing a sarcoma later in life. This is rare, and the benefits of cancer treatment almost always outweigh this risk.
Other Changes in Cells
Even when no clear cause is identified, changes in DNA can still occur throughout life. The body works continuously to repair these changes, but sometimes a harmful mutation slips through and allows cells to grow out of control. Learning about the specific genetic changes inside a sarcoma tumor can help guide treatment decisions and identify whether someone may be eligible for targeted therapies or clinical trials.
Tumor Mutation Burden
Sarcoma tumors vary widely in the number of genetic changes they carry. This is known as the tumor
mutational burden. A tumor with more mutations may respond differently to certain treatments. Understanding a tumor’s mutation profile helps doctors consider newer therapies and evaluate clinical trial options.
Additional Resources
Types Of Sarcoma Cancers
Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Bone Sarcomas
Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Soft tissue sarcoma tumors can occur in muscles, fat, nerves, blood vessels, tendons, and other soft tissues that support, surround, or protect body organs and joints. Soft tissue sarcomas can be found anywhere in the body, from head to toe, but they are more often found in the extremities, such as in the arms or legs.
The most common types of soft tissue sarcoma cancers are described below. This is not intended to be a complete list and may not contain the specific sarcoma cancer type that you (or your loved one) have been diagnosed with. It is always best to work closely with your own oncologist and sarcoma cancer team who will help get you all the additional information that you will want to know.
Bone Sarcomas
Bone Sarcoma tumors develop in the bone tissue itself or in the cartilage that provides cushion between bones in the joints.
The most common types of bone sarcomas are described below. Working closely with your oncologist and cancer team will help get you all the information you need. This is not intended to be a complete list.
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