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:
