Soft Tissue Sarcomas: A Complete Guide

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.