Back to All Blogs
Health 19 Aug 2025

Soft Tissue Sarcomas: A Complete Guide

When to be concerned about a lump or bump

Most lumps and bumps that appear on our body are harmless. A whole host of medical conditions can cause them to appear, but most are not a cause for concern.

In general, if a lump is soft, moves under the skin, and stays the same size, then it is probably nothing to worry about.

But any new lump that is bigger than 5cm, is deep under the skin and doesn’t move easily, is getting bigger, or is painful, should always be checked out by a doctor. They may be a sign of a type of cancer called soft tissue sarcoma – a rare cancer that needs early detection to be treated effectively.

A guide to soft tissue sarcomas

Soft tissue sarcomas are a rare group of cancers. They affect the tissues that connect, surround and support our organs and body structures, such as blood vessels, muscles, fat, tendons, ligaments, and deep skin tissues.

They can develop in almost any part of the body, including the arms, legs, torso, and head and neck. There are more than 70 types of soft tissue sarcoma, named according to the part of the body they develop in:

  • Angiosarcomas: Develop in blood or lymph vessels.
  • Gastrointestinal stromal tumors or GISTs: Develop in tissues of organs of the digestive tract.
  • Leiomyosarcomas: Develop in muscle tissue.
  • Liposarcomas: Develop in fat tissue.

How are the signs and symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma different from those of harmless lumps?

Usually, there are no obvious symptoms when soft tissue sarcoma is in the early stages. Some people notice a lump under the skin or deeper. Sarcomas are usually painless at first and tend to get bigger over time.

Always speak to your doctor if you have a lump that is worrying you, or if the lump is bigger than a couple of inches. It is likely that the lump will not be cancerous, but you should always get it checked out.

Other symptoms of soft tissue sarcomas will depend on the part of the body they are in. Tumors near the stomach may cause tummy pain, constipation, bloating or a feeling of fullness, while tumors near the lungs may cause breathlessness or a cough.

What causes soft tissue sarcomas to develop?

Doctors don’t always know what causes soft tissue sarcomas, but certain factors are known to increase the risk of them developing, including:

  • Age: They are most common among middle-aged or elderly people but can develop at any age.
  • Certain genetic conditions: Retinoblastoma and neurofibromatosis type 1 are associated with an increased risk.
  • Exposure to some chemicals: People who are exposed to chemicals such as dioxins, vinyl chloride, and phenoxyacetic herbicides, may be at an increased risk.
  • Previous radiation therapy: Receiving radiotherapy in the past for another type of cancer can cause soft tissue sarcoma to develop, usually many years later.

What happens if I find a lump?

If a lump is worrying you, see your doctor straightaway. If they think it may be suspicious, they will perform a number of tests to determine what is causing the lump. These may include a biopsy of the tissue and imaging tests.

If soft tissue sarcoma is confirmed, treatment will depend on factors such as the stage of the cancer, its location, your age, and your overall health. Treatment may include surgery to remove the tumor, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Worrying lump? Always speak to your doctor

Like most cancers, the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma is more effective when it is diagnosed at an early stage.

Always see your doctor if you notice any new lumps or bumps that don’t go away after a few weeks.

Get Access to the Latest Health & Wellness Advice

Join our mailing list to receive the latest updates from our health & wellness blog.

CCAD
CCAD

Dedicate a Day to Your Health

Invest in Your Future Wellbeing and Book Our Comprehensive Health Check-Up.

Learn More
CCAD
CCAD

Where Hope Begins

Comprehensive Cancer Care, Close to Home

Learn More
CCAD
CCAD

Happy with the care you received?

If you or a loved one have received care at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, please take a moment to...

Review Now
CCAD
CCAD

Advancing Care for Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) Cancers

At Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, we offer the latest diagnostic tools and advanced treatment options...

Learn More
CCAD
CCAD

Living with Epilepsy?

We Offer Specialized Care, Advanced Diagnostics and Treatment, and a Range of Support Services.

Learn More

Related Articles

Spotting a Stroke
Brain & Spine Health
07 Jul 2025

Spotting a Stroke

Read Articles
Could it be a Brain Tumor?
Brain & Spine Health
10 Jan 2025

Could it be a Brain...

Don’t worry, most headaches are harmless.

Read Articles
Why is prostate cancer screening so important?
Men's Health
28 Oct 2024

Why is prostate cancer...

Prostate cancer is a common cancer among men in the UAE. With no symptoms in the earliest stages...

Read Articles
CCAD

Our Doctors

Meet all the doctors from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

View Doctors
CCAD

Patient Stories

Listen to the inspiring stories from our patients.

Learn More
CCAD

Insurance Partners

We partner with many insurance companies offering coverage for your care.

Explore More