Soft Tissue Sarcoma is a malignant tumour that starts in the cells of the connective and supporting tissues. Malignant means that it can spread, or metastasize, to other parts of the body. It is a rare type of cancer, accounting for about 1% of all adult cancers. However, it is much more common in children, representing about 15% of all childhood cancers.
Sarcoma can occur in any part of the body, such as the bone or soft tissue. The majority of soft tissue sarcomas occur in a limb, such as an arm or leg. The rest begin in the trunk, abdomen, or head and neck. There are many different types of soft tissue throughout the body, including fat, muscle, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, and more. Soft tissues exist to support, protect, and connect body tissues and structures. Sarcomas can also develop in the bone, and behave very differently from soft tissue sarcomas (see Bone Cancer for more information).
About this Cancer
According to the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) statistics for 2023, 1,700 cases of Soft tissue cancer were diagnosed. Among the 1,700 cases, 950 males and 730 females were diagnosed with soft tissue cancer. Soft tissue cancers are among one of the common causes of cancer deaths in children and young people under the age of 30. In 2023, an estimated 640 people died from soft tissue cancers.
When soft tissue sarcoma originates in the arm, leg, the trunk of the body or the head and neck area, the following symptoms may present themselves:
– A mass or swelling
– Discomfort or pain
When soft tissue sarcoma originates in the abdomen, it can cause
– A sensation of fullness
– Discomfort in the abdomen or back
When soft tissue sarcoma originates in the gastrointestinal tract, the following symptoms may present themselves:
– Nausea and vomiting
– Loose stools
– Constipation
– Bloody stools
– Discomfort in the abdomen
Other symptoms associated with soft tissue sarcoma may include:
– Unusual vaginal bleeding
– Discomfort in the pelvis
– Trouble breathing
– Lymphedema
– Unusual bumps or patches on the skin
For more information, please consult: Symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma | Canadian Cancer Society
– Radiation therapy
– Genetic conditions: Genetic conditions including, retinoblastoma, werner syndrome, li-fraumeni syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1, and gardner syndrome, can increase the risk of developing soft tissue sarcoma.
– Chronic lymphedema
– Viral infections
– Vinyl chloride: Vinyl chloride is a product that is used in the plastics industry to create polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC is used in a variety of different products, but coming into contact with vinyl chloride can increase the risk of developing soft tissue sarcoma, and in particular, angiosarcoma of the liver.
– Thorium dioxide: Thorium dioxide, a radioactive contrast medium used in the 1950’s to improve x-ray imaging, is associated with an increased risk of developing angiosarcoma of the liver, a type of soft tissue sarcoma.
For more information, please refer to Risk factors for soft tissue sarcoma | Canadian Cancer Society
– Health history and physical exam: Health history: In diagnosing soft tissue sarcoma, your doctor may ask about swelling or masses, a prior history of cancer or if you have undergone radiotherapy/chemotherapy. They may also ask about inherited conditions, if there is a family history of soft tissue sarcoma and other cancers.
– Physical examination: When looking for signs of soft tissue sarcoma, your doctor may check for the presence of masses and lumps on your body, and determine their size and how they feel. Your doctor may also look at your lungs, and your abdomen to check for an enlarged liver. Finally, they may also look for weakness in your arms and legs.
– Complete blood count (CBC) and blood clotting tests: A CBC test measures both the number and quality of all blood cells and is done to check your general health before a biopsy is ordered. Blood clotting tests are meant to check if your blood is clotting normal and is done prior to a biopsy.
– Blood chemistry tests: Blood chemistry tests are designed to measure specific chemicals in the blood and demonstrate how well certain organs are functioning or if there are abnormalities.
– MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging uses magnetic forces and radiofrequency waves to produce images of the body. MRI’s are used to look at a lump that a doctor thinks might be a soft tissue sarcoma.
– CT scan: A computerized tomography (CT) scan uses x-ray equipment to produce images of the body. A CT scan is used to check a lump in a specific area, and determine its size and which tissues are nearby.
– X-ray: X-rays use minor doses of radiation to produce an image of parts of the body. It can be used to assess a lump.
– Ultrasound: An ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of parts of the body. It can be used to determine if a lump is filled with fluid or if it is a solid tumor.
– Biopsy: In a biopsy, the doctor removes tissues or cells from the body so they can be tested in a lab. The pathologist’s report will demonstrate if there are cancer cells found in the sample. The type of biopsy selected will depend on the location of the lump and its size.
– Bone scan: A bone scan uses bone-seeking radioactive materials and a computer to produce an image of the bones. It is typically used to determine if the soft tissue sarcoma has spread to the bone.
For more information, check out Diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma
– Treatment for stage 1, 2 and 3 soft tissue sarcoma is usually surgery
– Treatment for stage 4 soft tissue sarcoma can include multiple therapies like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery
– Treatments for recurrent soft tissue sarcoma will be dependent on where the cancer recurs and the past treatment the patient has received.
For more information, visit Treatments for soft tissue sarcoma
Stories from Survivors
We currently do not have any soft tissue sarcoma stories. If you have any, please send them to us at info@survivornet.ca.
– CHRONICLES OF A LUMPY PERSON
– Coping with the BIG C. (That’s cancer to you and I.)
– Maiden with (E)wings – Imogen Peverall
– MIKE JUDGE VS EWING’S SARCOMA
– My Battle with Myxoid Liposarcoma
– Starting off on the right foot – Trying to navigate life as a cancer survivor, amputee, and mom.
– Things on Real Life by Marz Llave
– Three in One Million A blog about Kavan’s battle (and defeat) with Ewing’s Sarcoma.
Resources
– Coping | Soft tissue sarcoma | Cancer Research UK
– Supportive care for soft tissue sarcoma | Canadian Cancer Society
– Living as a Soft Tissue Sarcoma Survivor | American Cancer Society
– Questions to Ask About Soft Tissue Sarcomas | American Cancer Society
– Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada: Support Guide & Resources
– Rehabilitation after treatment for soft tissue sarcoma | Canadian Cancer Society
– Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Be aware of the rare cancer called sarcoma
– Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada: Managing Mental Health Resources
– Six Things to Know about Soft Tissue Sarcoma Recurrence | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
– March 26 2024 – Stanford Medicine-designed AI tools tackle soft tissue sarcomas, identify new treatment strategies – Stanford Medicine
– November 28 2024 – Breakthrough in Sarcoma Treatment – UHN Research
– September 2nd 2024 – New strategies in soft tissue sarcoma treatment – Journal of Hematology & Oncology
– March 18th 2024 – Soft tissue sarcoma diagnosis using machine and deep learning-survey – EDP sciences
– February 29th 2024 – Artificial intelligence: improving sarcoma diagnosis and treatment – The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity
– January 15 2024 – Toward Personalized Treatment Approaches in Soft Tissue Sarcomas – Cancer Network
– September 26 2024 – New progress in personalizing treatment of sarcoma using AI – McGill Health e-News
– September 4 2024 – Drug discovery could prevent spread of childhood bone cancer – BC Cancer
Soft Tissue Sarcoma Groups
– Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada: Sarcoma Cancer Foundation of Canada is Canada’s national organization dedicated to providing patient support and education while working with Canada’s leading researchers to eradicate the disease.
– Toronto Sarcoma: The Sarcoma Program in Toronto is the largest multi-disciplinary program of its type in Canada. It is unique because patients are able to not only receive all of their cancer care needs, but also all of their complementary medical, rehabilitation and psycho-social needs all at the associated hospitals. Our goal is to offer high quality multidisciplinary treatment to patients with musculoskeletal tumors. This includes patients with soft tissue and bone sarcoma, benign aggressive bone and soft tissue tumors, difficult reconstructive problems related to metastatic disease, along with other tumor-related problems.
United Kingdom:
Australia and New Zealand:
– Australia & New Zealand Sarcoma Association
Europe:
– Sarcoma Patient Advocacy Global Network
United States