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Soft Tissue, Connective Tissue & Bone Cancers

Definition

"Sarcoma" is a term used to describe a whole family of cancers that arise in the body's connective tissues, which include fat, muscle, blood vessels, deep skin tissues, nerves, bones and cartilage.

A sarcoma is a cancer that grows in the soft tissues of the body, such as in muscle or fat. This kind of cancer can grow in the soft tissue of any part of the body. It is unusual and occurs equally in men and women.

Sarcomas tend to metastasize (spread) through the bloodstream. When a tumor spreads, it releases cancer cells that travel through the bloodstream and lodge in other parts of the body (usually the lungs), where the cells begin to grow new tumors.

Getting Diagnosed / Treatment

Sarcomas are treated at the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center's Multidisciplinary Sarcoma Clinic. Research into sarcoma is coordinated by the Sarcoma Research Program. Read more about

How does it occur?

The cause of sarcomas is not known. However, people who have had other types of cancer in the past seem to have a greater risk of developing a sarcoma. One type of sarcoma, called Kaposi's sarcoma, is common in people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

The most common symptom of sarcoma is a lump. Depending on the site of the cancer, it may or may not cause pain.

How is it diagnosed?

Your doctor will diagnose sarcoma by taking your medical history, reviewing your symptoms, and examining you. In addition, your doctor may order these tests:

• x-rays
• CT scan (computed tomography)
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• biopsy (removal of a sample of tissue for lab tests).

What is the treatment?

Treatment of sarcoma may include:

• surgery to remove the tumor
• radiation therapy: high doses of radiation directed against the tumor to destroy or shrink it
• chemotherapy: a combination of anticancer drugs given to destroy cancer cells.

If the tumor is large and it is necessary to remove a lot of tissue and skin around the tumor, your health care provider may use skin grafts from another part of your body to cover the area.

How long will the effects last?

The chance of cure varies, depending on:

• how large the tumor is
• where it is located
• how fast it is growing
• whether it has spread to other parts of the body.

How can I take care of myself?

The chance of curing a sarcoma increases if it is found and treated early. Report any abnormal thickening or lump in any part of your body to your health care provider as soon as possible.

After treatment your provider will recommend regular checkups for at least 2 years. It is important to follow your provider's recommendations so that any recurrence can be found and treated as early as possible.

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updated 3/2006

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This site is part of the U-M Health System. The information presented is not a tool for self diagnosis or a substitute for professional care. © 2008 U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center