Sarcoma is a rare form of cancer that grows in connective tissue. It can form in the bones, cartilage, muscles, tendons, nerves, and fat of any part of your body. There are two main forms of sarcoma: tumors that grow in your soft tissue and tumors that grow in your bone, or osteosarcomas. Experts aren’t sure exactly what causes sarcoma, but genetics, other bone disorders, and exposure to radiation or certain chemicals all might increase your risk of developing it. This type of cancer is about equally common in children and adults.
There are about 50 different types of soft tissue sarcoma, and doctors can perform a few different tests to discover the exact nature of the tumor. If your doctor suspects that you have this cancer, you may have an X-ray, an MRI, a computerized tomography scan, or a positron emission tomography. You may also need a biopsy to determine the type of cancer. Like other forms of cancer, sarcoma can be treated with surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Before you are diagnosed and start treatment, though, you must speak to your doctor about the symptoms. Some of these symptoms may seem minor or unimportant, and you might not think you need to see your doctor. However, they could be signs of cancer. Here are six common signs and symptoms of sarcoma:
1. Abnormal Lump
An abnormal lump is typically the very first sign of sarcoma. These lumps are usually the most noticeable when they form on your arm or leg, but they can develop anywhere on your body. About 20 percent of sarcomas form in the abdominal area, and about 10 percent form around the neck or head. Most of these lumps are painless, but they can become very large. You may notice a small lump that you’ve never seen before, and it could double in size within a week or two. These tumors can develop in elastic tissues, so they can push your healthy tissue aside and keep growing. Once a lump gets large enough that it pushes against your nerves and muscles, it may become painful.
It’s important to remember that most lumps are not cancer. If you find a lump on your body, it is likely a lipoma, which is noncancerous and made of fat cells. However, you should always talk to your doctor if you discover a lump on your body that’s larger than 2 inches, causes pain, or has grown in size. It’s better to take the time to have the lump checked out by a doctor than to risk letting a tumor go untreated.
2. Swelling
If you have a noticeable lump on your body, it may also be accompanied by some swelling. Even if you don’t see a clearly defined lump or bump, you may notice swelling somewhere on your body. Osteosarcoma, which is a form of the cancer that forms in your bones, can cause the affected area to swell up even though it doesn’t cause a lump. If the swelling becomes severe, it could have an impact on other parts of your body. For example, sarcoma that forms in your heart or lungs could cause the area to become so swollen that you have chest pain or difficulty breathing.
3. Abdominal Pain
Your abdominal area is one of the most common places for a sarcoma to develop, so abdominal pain is a common symptom. The tumor is usually not painful immediately. Most people only experience pain once the sarcoma grows in size. If it starts to push on your nerves or muscles, you might feel a cramping, aching, or throbbing pain in your abdomen. There are many different causes of abdominal pain, but pain from a sarcoma will get worse over time instead of getting better. Some people don’t experience abdominal pain, but they do have a constant feeling of fullness in their stomach.
4. Blood in Stool
Blood in your stool is one of the most noticeable signs of a sarcoma in your abdomen. If the sarcoma is in or near your gastrointestinal system, it could cause damage to your stomach or intestines. Bloody stool is a common result of bleeding in the gastrointestinal system. This is sometimes accompanied by sharp abdominal pain, cramps, constipation, or diarrhea. If you lose a lot of blood, you could develop symptoms of anemia, including fatigue, lightheadedness, fainting, and shortness of breath. Blood in your stool is a serious issue, so you should contact your doctor right away if you develop this symptom.
5. Blood in Vomit
Blood in your vomit occurs for the same reason as blood in your stool. A sarcoma in your gastrointestinal system could bleed into your stomach or cause your stomach or intestines to bleed. This can eventually lead to you vomiting blood. Vomiting blood is a serious issue that should be checked out by a doctor right away. Vomiting without blood is a common symptom of sarcoma, too. If the sarcoma forms in your stomach, you may feel nauseous and have trouble keeping food down. Abdominal sarcomas can push on your stomach and reduce its size, which can lead to nausea, pain, and discomfort.
6. Black Tarry Stools
Black, tarry stools are a sign that your stomach or intestines are bleeding. Blood can turn black and tarry when your body digests it, and this can change the color and consistency of your stool. You might not see bright red blood in your stool, but black or tarry stools indicate that there’s a problem with your gastrointestinal system. A sarcoma may be pushing on your stomach or intestines and causing internal bleeding. There are many causes of black, tarry stools besides sarcoma, but it usually is a sign of a serious problem. Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience this symptom.
