A sarcoma is a type of cancer that develops from certain tissues, like bone or muscle. The types of sarcoma are divided into two main types: soft tissue sarcomas and bone sarcomas.
Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Soft tissue sarcomas can develop from soft tissues like fat, muscle, nerves, fibrous tissues, blood vessels, or deep skin tissues. They can be found in any part of the body. Most of them develop in the arms or legs. They can also be found in the trunk, head and neck area, internal organs, and the area in back of the abdominal cavity (known as the retroperitoneum).
After a sarcoma is found and staged, your team will recommend one or several treatment options. This decision is important, so take time and think about all of the choices. In choosing a treatment plan, factors to consider include the type, location, and stage of the cancer, as well as your overall physical health.
The main types of treatment for soft tissue sarcoma are surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and/or targeted therapy. Treatment for sarcomas generally utilizes a combination of these.
Bone Sarcoma
If the tumor cannot be removed with surgery, radiation therapy is most often used. Radiation therapy may also be administered before surgery to shrink the tumor, or after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells.