Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Cancer is made of changed cells that grow out of control. The changed (abnormal) cells often grow to form a lump or mass called a tumor. Cancer cells can also grow into (invade) nearby areas. And they can spread to other parts of the body. This is called metastasis.

Sarcoma is a type of cancer that starts in the body’s connective tissues. These are tissues that support or connect the body, like bones, nerves, and muscles. Sarcomas are rare in adults. They are more common in children.

Soft tissue sarcomas can start in muscles, tendons, blood vessels, fat, nerves, and deep skin tissues. There are more than 50 different types of soft tissue sarcomas. Most start in the arms and legs. But these cancers can start in almost any part of the body.

A risk factor is anything that may increase your chance of having a disease. The exact cause of someone’s cancer may not be known. But risk factors can make it more likely for a person to have cancer. Some risk factors may not be in your control. But others may be things you can change. 

The risk factors for soft tissue sarcoma include:

• Exposure to radiation used to treat other cancers, such as breast cancer or lymphoma.

• Certain family cancer syndromes, such as neurofibromatosis, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Gardner syndrome, or hereditary retinoblastoma.

• Exposure to certain other chemicals (especially in the workplace), such as dioxin and phenoxy herbicides.

• Long-lasting (chronic) swelling in the arms or legs (lymphedema).

Talk with your healthcare provider about your risk factors for soft tissue sarcoma and what you can do about them.

Most people who get soft tissue sarcoma don’t have any risk factors, so there is no sure way to prevent this cancer.

There are no regular screening tests that can be done for soft tissue sarcoma. Screening tests are done to check for disease in people who don’t have symptoms.

If you or anyone in your family has certain inherited syndromes that may raise your risk for this type of cancer, talk with your healthcare provider.

Soft tissue sarcoma often doesn’t cause symptoms until the cancer has grown for some time. Symptoms depend on where the tumor is and how big it is. 

These are some of the more common symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma:

• A growing lump or swelling, which often doesn’t hurt.

• Trouble breathing.

• Belly pain that’s getting worse.

• Tar-like black stool. This could mean there’s blood in your stool.

Many of these may be caused by other health problems. It’s important to see a healthcare provider if you have these symptoms. Only a healthcare provider can tell if you have cancer.

Your healthcare provider will ask you about your health history, symptoms, risk factors, and family history of disease. A physical exam will be done. 

You may also have one or more of these tests:

• X-rays.

• Ultrasound.

• CT scan.

• Biopsy.

A biopsy is the only way to confirm cancer. Small pieces of tissue are taken out and checked for cancer cells. Your results will come back in about one week.

After a diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma, you’ll likely need other tests. These help your healthcare providers learn more about the cancer. They can help determine the stage of the cancer. The stage is how much and how far the cancer has spread (metastasized) in your body. It is one of the most important things to know when deciding how to treat the cancer.

Once your cancer is staged, your healthcare provider will talk with you about what the stage means for your treatment. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider to explain the stage of your cancer to you in a way you can understand.

Your treatment choices depend on the type of sarcoma you have, test results, where the cancer is, and the stage of the cancer. The goal of treatment may be to cure you, control the cancer, or to help ease problems caused by cancer. Talk with your healthcare team about your treatment choices, the goals of treatment, and what the risks and side effects may be.

Types of treatment for cancer are either local or systemic. Local treatments remove, destroy, or control cancer cells in one area. Surgery and radiation are local treatments. Systemic treatment is used to destroy or control cancer cells that may have traveled around your body. When taken by pill or injection, chemotherapy is a systemic treatment. You may have just one treatment or a combination of treatments.

Soft tissue sarcoma may be treated with: 

• Surgery.

• Radiation therapy.

• Chemotherapy.

• Targeted therapy.

Talk with your healthcare providers about your treatment options. Make a list of questions. Think about the benefits and possible side effects of each option. Talk about your concerns with your healthcare provider before making a decision.

Cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation can damage normal cells. This can cause side effects such as hair loss, mouth sores, and vomiting. 

Talk with your healthcare provider about side effects you might have and ways to them. There may be things you can do and medicines you can take to help prevent or control side effects.

Many people feel worried, depressed, and stressed when dealing with cancer. Getting treatment for cancer can be hard on your mind and body. Keep talking with your healthcare team about any problems or concerns you may have.  Work together to ease the effect of cancer and its symptoms on your daily life.

Here are tips:

• Talk with your family or friends.

• Ask your healthcare team or social worker for help.

• Speak with a counselor.

• Talk with a spiritual advisor, such as a minister or rabbi.

• Ask your healthcare team about medicines for depression or anxiety.

• Keep socially active.

• Join a cancer support group.

Cancer treatment is also hard on the body. To help yourself stay healthier, try to:

• Eat a healthy diet, with a focus on high-protein foods.

• Drink plenty of water, fruit juices, and other liquids.

• Keep physically active.

• Rest as much as needed.

• Talk with your healthcare team about ways to manage treatment side effects.

• Take your medicines as directed by your team.

Your healthcare provider will talk with you about when to call. You may be told to call if you have any of the below:

• New symptoms or symptoms that get worse.

• Signs of an infection, such as a fever.

• Side effects of treatment that affect your daily function or don’t get better with treatment.

Ask your healthcare provider what signs to watch for and when to call. Know how to get help after office hours and on weekends and holidays.