What is sarcoma symptoms

Mutations might tell cells to grow and divide uncontrollably and to continue living when normal cells would die. If this happens, the accumulating abnormal cells can form a tumor. Cells can break away and spread metastasize to other parts of the body.

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About soft tissue sarcoma Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of rare cancers affecting the tissues that connect, support and surround other body structures and organs. For example: leiomyosarcomas — which develop in muscle tissue liposarcomas — which develop in fat tissue angiosarcomas — which develop in the cells of the blood or lymph vessels gastrointestinal stromal tumours GISTs - which can develop in the connective tissues that support the organs of the digestive system Soft tissue sarcomas account for around 1 in every cancers diagnosed in the UK.

What causes soft tissue sarcomas? Cancer develops when cells multiply uncontrollably, forming tumours. Signs and symptoms As soft tissue sarcomas can develop in most parts of the body, they can cause a wide range of symptoms. Diagnosing soft tissue sarcomas If your GP feels there is a possibility you do have cancer, they will refer you for a number of hospital tests to confirm whether you have a soft tissue sarcoma. A diagnosis of a soft tissue sarcoma will usually be made by a hospital specialist and will be based on your symptoms, a physical examination, and the results of: a biopsy — where a sample of suspected cancerous tissue is removed using a needle or during an operation so it can be tested and analysed in a laboratory imaging tests — a magnetic resonance imaging MRI scan is the main type of scan carried out to assess soft tissue sarcomas, although other scans may also be carried out If a diagnosis of a soft tissue sarcoma is confirmed, these tests will also help determine how far the cancer has spread known as the 'stage' and how aggressive the cancer is known as the 'grade'.

Treating soft tissue sarcomas If you're diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma your care team of specialist doctors and nurses will help you decide on the most appropriate treatment. The main treatments used are: surgery — to remove any tumours radiotherapy — where high-energy radiation is used to kill cancer cells chemotherapy — where medication is used to kill cancer cells These treatments are described in more detail below.

Surgery Surgery is the main treatment for soft tissue sarcomas that are detected at an early stage. Radiotherapy Radiotherapy is often used after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells. Read more about the side effects of radiotherapy Chemotherapy Like radiotherapy, chemotherapy is sometimes used before surgery to shrink a tumour and make it easier to remove.

Read more about the side effects of chemotherapy Outlook As with most types of cancer, the outlook for a soft tissues sarcoma depends largely on how far the cancer has advanced when it is diagnosed. Want to know more? Tweet Click here to share this page on Twitter This will open a new window. Print Click here to print this page This will open your print options in a new window. Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window. Be sure to talk with your health care team about the symptoms you experience, including any new symptoms or a change in symptoms.

The next section in this guide is Diagnosis. It explains what tests may be needed to learn more about the cause of the symptoms.

Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide. Types of Cancer. Sarcomas, Soft Tissue Guide. Net Guide Sarcomas, Soft Tissue. Medical Illustrations. Risk Factors. Symptoms and Signs. Stages and Grades. The best treatment depends on things such as where the cancer developed, the type of sarcoma it is, how far it has spread, your age and your general health.

It usually involves removing the tumour along with a section of surrounding healthy tissue. This helps to ensure no cancer cells are left behind. Every effort will be made to reduce the impact of surgery on the appearance and function of the affected body part. But there is a chance you'll have some difficulty using the affected body part after surgery and sometimes further surgery may be needed to repair it. In a very small number of cases, there may be no option but to amputate the part of the body where the cancer is located, such as part of the leg.

In some sarcomas, radiotherapy is used before or after surgery to improve the chance of cure. This is done using a machine that directs beams of radiation at a small treatment area. Radiotherapy alone may also sometimes be used when surgery is not possible, to reduce symptoms caused by the sarcoma or slow its progression.

Common side effects of radiotherapy include sore skin, tiredness and hair loss in the treatment area.