Types of Sarcoma

Most patients have no symptoms (i.e., are asymptomatic).

They will appear as a raised, purple area of skin that resembles a bruise, growing over time.

May be painful or bleed at the tumor site.

Can occur anywhere in the body, but most often in the skin, head, or neck.

Can be caused by “lymphedema”, which is swelling due to extra fluid (lymph) collecting in tissues, often in the arms and legs.

Other causes of these tumors include radiation exposure and/or exposure to chemicals, such as vinyl chloride, arsenic, and thorium dioxide.

Often starts as a small, firm patch of skin that can be various tones of purple or red.

Grows slowly over months to years and can become a raised nodule under the skin.

Typically affects people ages 20-50.

Women and African Americans are more at risk.

Scars formed from burns or surgery can be risk factors.

There are many subtypes of these tumors that are based on the type of cells found in the dermis layer. These subtypes include Bednar tumors, Myxoid Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans tumors, and Giant Cell Fibroblastoma.

Most patients have no symptoms (i.e., are asymptomatic).

There may be pain or swelling or a lump where the tumor is located.

Can occur anywhere in the body, but most often are found in the abdomen, arms, shoulders or legs.

They can be slow or fast growing.

Appears in the abdomen and pelvic area of the body.

No symptoms initially but leads to one or a combination of the following symptoms: nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal swelling, abdominal pain and difficulty urinating.

Most often occurs in white males between the ages of 10 and 30.  

Typically, it will appear as a small, painless, slow growing lump under the skin of a finger, hand, forearm, lower leg, or foot.

May be a sore or open wound that doesn’t heal.

Most commonly seen among teenagers and young adults.

More common in men than women (2:1),

Cancer that begins in the fibrous connective tissue located at the extremities of the arms or legs. 

May lead to limping or difficulty in using legs, feet, arms, and hands. 

The tumor cells at the primary sites frequently spread to nearby soft tissue. 

Can occur in children and adults. 

Infantile fibrosarcoma is the most frequent soft tissue sarcoma in children less than one year old. It presents as a growing mass at birth or soon after. This form has slower growth rate and is usually less aggressive than fibrosarcoma seen in older children.  

Symptoms vary based on size and location of tumors.

Small tumors may be asymptomatic while larger tumors may cause vomiting, GI bleeding, abdominal pain, nausea and weight loss.

Most commonly occurs in adults between the ages of 50 and 70, but can occur at any age.

Some association with rare genetic syndromes

Appears as painless, purple-ish  spots on the legs, feet, or face.

Can also appear in genital areas, the mouth, lymph nodes, and, in severe cases, the digestive tract or lungs.

Is caused by an infection with a virus called Human Herpes virus 8 (HHV-8). 

Immune system damage or suppression (especially in patients with organ transplant or HIV/AIDs) allows the cells infected with HHV-8 virus to multiply and form tumors.

Tumors located deep in the body that may not present with any symptoms until they grow larger or causing pressure in the space they are growing.

May appear as painless masses below the skin.

Uterine leiomyosarcoma may present with pain pressure, and abnormal uterine bleeding, similar to benign fibroids.

Accounts for 5-10% of all soft tissue sarcoma tumors.

No proven relation to any environmental exposures or lifestyle choices.

Genetic conditions (Hereditary Retinoblastoma and Li Fraumeni Syndrome) may predispose patients to Leiomyosarcoma cancer.

Can occur anywhere in the body, but are mostly found in the limbs, muscles and abdomen.

They are painless and slow growing so many patients may be symptom free (asymptomatic). 

 May appear as a growing lump under the skin of the arms or legs.

One of the most common soft tissue tumors mostly found in adults, but can occur at any age.

Some risk factors include exposure to chemical. carcinogens, previous ionizing radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

Symptoms vary based on the size and location of tumors.

May experience pain, numbness, weakness, or a burning/tingling sensation in the extremities at the tumor site.

Most commonly affects young and middle-aged adults.

50% of these tumors occurs in the setting of a genetic condition called Neurofibromatosis 1.

Slow-growing, painless lump on extremities, such as arms or legs, that extends deep into tissues.

Symptoms be different based on size and location of tumors.

Mostly occurs in people between the ages of 50 and 70.

Slightly more common in men than women.

Difficult to distinguish from other soft tissue sarcoma tumors, which can result in delayed diagnosis.

May appear as a painless mass underneath the skin.

Are commonly found in the head and neck region, followed by the extremities, such as arms and legs.

 Mostly occurs in children and young adults, but can occur at any age.

Is associated with Neurofibromatosis, Li-Fraumeni, Beckwith-Wiedemann, and Costello syndromes.

Slow growing, painless mass found in the arms or legs where the joints are formed. 

Masses may be painful if involving nerves.

Typically affects people ages 15-40, but can occur at any age.

No definite risk factors.

Has been associated with Chromosome 18 and Chromosome X Translocations.

Appears as a lump in the extremities, such as arms or legs, and can also occur behind abdominal organs.

Although it can be found in either soft tissues or bone, it is considered a soft tissue tumor.

Formerly known as Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma.

Typically affects older adults.

Previous ionizing radiation therapy is a risk factor.