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Sarcoma

Dr Karen Martin
Reviewed by Dr Karen MartinReviewed on 10.10.2024 | 4 minutes read
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Sarcoma is a rare cancer affecting any part of the body. The most common type are soft tissue sarcomas which develop in muscle, nerves, fatty tissue, and blood vessels. The other types are bone sarcoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Over 10,000 people a year in the US are diagnosed with sarcoma, making it a rare cancer that affects men and women equally.

Types of Sarcomas

Bone Sarcomas

Bone sarcomas are a diverse group of malignancies that originate from bone tissue, comprising several distinct subtypes with varying characteristics and treatment approaches. The main types of bone sarcomas include osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and chondrosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of primary bone cancer, typically arising in the long bones of the arms and legs. It predominantly affects children and young adults, with a peak incidence during adolescence. Osteosarcoma often presents as a painful swelling or mass near the affected bone and may be associated with pathological fractures. Diagnosis is confirmed through imaging studies, such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI, followed by biopsy for histological examination. Treatment typically involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and sometimes radiation therapy, aimed at achieving local control and preventing metastases.

Ewing sarcoma is a rare type of bone cancer that primarily affects children and young adults. It commonly arises in the pelvis, femur, or ribs, although it can occur in any bone. Ewing sarcoma is characterized by aggressive growth and a propensity for metastases to other bones or organs. Symptoms may include pain, swelling, and occasionally, fever. Diagnosis involves imaging studies and biopsy for histological analysis. Treatment usually consists of chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiation therapy, depending on the extent of the disease and the presence of metastases.

Chondrosarcoma is a malignant tumor that arises from cartilage cells within bones. It typically occurs in older adults and commonly affects the pelvis, femur, or shoulder. Chondrosarcoma is characterized by slow growth and a tendency to recur locally, although it has a lower risk of metastases than osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma. Diagnosis is established through imaging studies and biopsy. Treatment involves surgical resection of the tumor, with adjuvant therapy such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy in some cases.

Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Soft tissue sarcomas are a diverse group of cancers that arise from various soft tissues in the body, including muscles, fat, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues. These tumors encompass a wide range of subtypes, each with unique histological, molecular, and clinical features.

Liposarcoma is the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma, arising from fat cells (adipocytes). It typically occurs in the extremities, retroperitoneum, or trunk. Liposarcoma is classified into several subtypes, including well-differentiated, dedifferentiated, myxoid, and pleomorphic variants, each with distinct characteristics and prognosis.

Leiomyosarcoma originates from smooth muscle cells and can arise in various locations, including the uterus, gastrointestinal tract, and soft tissues of the extremities. It is characterized by aggressive growth and a propensity for metastases.

Fibrosarcoma arises from fibroblasts, which are cells that produce collagen and other structural proteins in connective tissue. It commonly affects the extremities, trunk, or head and neck region. Fibrosarcoma is characterized by a high recurrence rate and potential for metastases.

Synovial sarcoma is a rare soft tissue sarcoma that typically arises near joints, especially in the extremities. Despite its name, it does not originate from synovial tissue. Synovial sarcoma is characterized by a unique chromosomal translocation and tends to affect young adults. It has a propensity for local recurrence and metastasis.

What symptoms should I look out for?

Sarcomas can cause a lump on the skin, which may or may not be painful, bone pain, or an unexpected fracture with minimal injury. Symptoms can develop close to the site where the sarcoma is growing- for example, abdominal pain in the abdomen, breathing problems, and coughing near the lungs. Generalized symptoms like fatigue and unintentional weight loss can also occur.

What causes a sarcoma?

Like most cancers, sarcoma forms when there are mutations in the DNA of cells, causing abnormal cells to grow and divide uncontrollably. The reason this happens is unknown, but there are certain things that increase your risk, such as genetic conditions, previous exposure to radiation from radiotherapy as well as exposure to chemicals such as industrial chemicals.

Angiosarcoma often occurs in places where the lymphatic system has been blocked.

Kaposi’s sarcoma originates from blood vessel walls and forms purple painless spots on the legs, feet, or face. It has different causes, depending on the subtypes, including being more common in certain ethnicities, in immune suppression, including those with AIDS, and in people with human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8), a sexually transmitted infection.

What can the doctor do?

Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and other health conditions and examine you. They may arrange further investigations, such as a scan, or they may refer you urgently to a specialist.

Sarcomas are often difficult to spot - the presentation is not always clear-cut and can sometimes take some time to arrive at. The most appropriate imaging depends on the location and type of any suspected sarcoma. If there is a bone fracture, an X-ray is a usual place to start.

Soft tissue lumps may require ultrasound scans, and later an MRI, for a more detailed view.

At some point, a suspicious mass will require a sample (biopsy) to be taken for lab analysis of the cell type and confirm whether it is cancerous.

What is the treatment?

Treatment depends on the location, the type, and how aggressive the sarcoma is, and also if it’s spread to other areas. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment to remove the bulk of the cancer cells, if not all. Then accompanying treatments like radiotherapy or chemotherapy can be used before or after to stop the cells from growing and dividing.

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This article has been written by UK-based doctors and pharmacists, so some advice may not apply to US users and some suggested treatments may not be available. For more information, please see our T&Cs.
Dr Karen Martin
Reviewed by Dr Karen Martin
Reviewed on 10.10.2024
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