Learn About Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma

What is the definition of Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is cancer that forms in the soft tissue of the body. Soft tissue connects, supports, or surrounds other body parts. In adults, STS is rare.

There are many different types of soft tissue cancers. The type of sarcoma depends on the tissue it forms in:

  • Muscles
  • Tendons
  • Fat
  • Blood vessels
  • Lymph vessels
  • Nerves
  • Tissues in and around joints

The cancer can form almost anywhere, but is most common in the:

  • Head
  • Neck
  • Arms
  • Legs
  • Trunk
  • Abdomen
Save information for later
Sign Up
What are the alternative names for Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

STS; Leiomyosarcoma; Hemangiosarcoma; Kaposi's sarcoma; Lymphangiosarcoma; Synovial sarcoma; Neurofibrosarcoma; Liposarcoma; Fibrosarcoma; Malignant fibrous histiocytoma; Dermatofibrosarcoma; Angiosarcoma

What are the causes of Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

It is not known what causes most sarcomas. But there are certain risk factors:

  • Some inherited diseases, such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome
  • Radiation therapy for other cancers
  • Exposure to certain chemicals, such as vinyl chloride or certain herbicides
  • Having swelling in the arms or legs for a long time (lymphedema)
What are the symptoms of Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

In early stages, there are often no symptoms. As the cancer grows, it may cause a lump or swelling that keeps growing over time. Most lumps are not due to cancer.

Other symptoms include:

  • Pain, if it presses on a nerve, organ, blood vessel, or muscle
  • Blockage or bleeding in the stomach or intestines
  • Breathing problems
Not sure about your diagnosis?
Check Your Symptoms
What are the current treatments for Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

Surgery is the most common treatment for STS.

  • In early stages, the tumor and some healthy tissue around it is removed.
  • Sometimes, just a small amount of tissue needs to be removed. Other times, a wider area of tissue must be removed.
  • With advanced cancers that form in an arm or leg, surgery may be followed by radiation or chemotherapy. Rarely, the limb may need to be amputated.

You also may have radiation or chemotherapy:

  • Used before surgery to help shrink the tumor to make it easier to remove the cancer
  • Used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells

Chemotherapy may be used to help kill cancer that has metastasized. This means it has spread to different areas of the body.

Who are the top Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma Local Doctors?
Elite
Elite
 
 
 
 
Learn about our expert tiers
Learn more
Elite
What are the support groups for Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

Cancer affects how you feel about yourself and your life. You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have had the same experiences and problems can help you feel less alone.

Ask your provider to help you find a support group for people who have been diagnosed with STS.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

The outlook for people whose cancer is treated early is very good. Most people who survive 5 years can expect to be cancer-free at 10 years.

What are the possible complications of Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

Complications include side effects from surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.

When should I contact a medical professional for Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

See your provider about any lump that grows in size or is painful.

How do I prevent Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

The cause of most STSs isn't known and there is no way to prevent it. Knowing your risk factors and telling your provider when you first notice symptoms can increase your chance of surviving this type of cancer.

What are the latest Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma Clinical Trials?
A Randomized Phase 3 Trial of Vinorelbine, Dactinomycin, and Cyclophosphamide (VINO-AC) Plus Maintenance Chemotherapy With Vinorelbine and Oral Cyclophosphamide (VINO-CPO) vs Vincristine, Dactinomycin and Cyclophosphamide (VAC) Plus VINO-CPO Maintenance in Patients With High Risk Rhabdomyosarcoma (HR-RMS)

Summary: This phase III trial compares the safety and effect of adding vinorelbine to vincristine, dactinomycin, and cyclophosphamide (VAC) for the treatment of patients with high risk rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). High risk refers to cancer that is likely to recur (come back) after treatment or spread to other parts of the body. This study will also examine if adding maintenance therapy after VAC therapy, with ...

Match to trials
Find the right clinical trials for you in under a minute
Get started
Phase 1/2 Study of Vincristine and Temozolomide in Combination With PEN-866 for Adolescents and Young Adults With Relapsed or Refractory Solid Tumors

Background: The drug PEN-866 can remain in tumor cells longer than it does in normal cells. It also may be more effective than other drugs at treating Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. Researchers want to learn if combining PEN-866 with other drugs can treat certain cancers in adolescents and young adults.

What are the Latest Advances for Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?
A Rare Orbital Pathology: A Large Orbital Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans.
Intralesional curettage and cementation of low-grade chondrosarcomas of the appendicular skeleton: Long-term results from a single center.
Tired of the same old research?
Check Latest Advances
A case of undifferentiated carcinoma of the bladder treated by combination therapy of surgery, local radiation, and immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: August 15, 2022
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 02/14/2023.

What are the references for this article ?

Contreras CM, Heslin MJ. Soft tissue sarcoma. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 32.

National Cancer Institute website. Adult soft tissue sarcoma treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/soft-tissue-sarcoma/hp/adult-soft-tissue-treatment-pdq#section/all. Updated December 16, 2022. Accessed February 14, 2023.

Van Tine BA. Sarcomas of soft tissue. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 90.