A soft tissue sarcoma is a type of cancerous tumor that develops in the soft tissues that surround, connect and support the body’s structure and organs. These tumors can begin anywhere in the body, including the muscles, joints, tendons, fat, blood vessels, nerves and tissues.
While there are more than 30 types of sarcoma, it is a very serious yet rare form of cancer that accounts for only about two percent of all cancers diagnosed in the U.S. each year. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 10,500 sarcomas are diagnosed annually. The majority are in men.
In some cases, the exact type of tissue where a sarcoma originated cannot be determined. However, the majority of soft tissue sarcomas begin in:
- Blood and lymph vessels
- Fibrous tissue
- Joint tissue
- Muscle tissue
- Peripheral nerve tissue
At Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, our multidisciplinary team of cancer care specialists have the experience and expertise to diagnose and treat sarcomas virtually anywhere in the body.
Learn More About Sarcoma
Cancer risk factors include exposure to chemicals or other substances, as well as certain behaviors. They also include things people cannot control, like age and family history.
Sarcoma risk factors
Most cancers have the same symptoms as other, less serious conditions. Still, it’s important to know the signs.
Blood tests, imaging exams and even surgical procedures are used to check for cancer.
Staging is a way of determining how much disease is in the body and where it has spread (metastasized). This information is important because it helps determine the best type of treatment for you and your outlook for recovery (prognosis).
Common cancer treatments include chemotherapy, radiation treatment and surgery. Doctors select the treatment for sarcoma based on your diagnosis and disease stage.