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Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Symptoms, Signs and Causes

Home> Soft Tissue Sarcoma> Symptoms and Causes

Soft tissue sarcoma, a rare cancer, may present as painless lumps or swelling. Symptoms are not presented in the early stages. Causes include genetic factors and radiation therapy. Early detection improves treatment outcomes.

What are the Soft Tissue Sarcoma Signs and Symptoms?

Patients may have soft tissue sarcoma signs based on the tumor size and location. Some of the soft tissue sarcoma cancer symptoms include:

A Lump That Hurts

Lumps may be one of the most common soft tissue sarcoma cancer symptoms. The lump is usually painless. However, in some patients, painful lumps may be present. A lump may raise concerns about soft tissue sarcoma, especially in the legs, arms, or trunk. Patients with painless lumps in the initial stage may experience pain later due to pressure on the nerves by the lump. This is also one of the classic symptoms of soft tissue cancer in the leg.

A Fast Growing Lump

A fast-growing lump may also be a soft tissue sarcoma sign. Although the growth rate of soft tissue sarcoma tumors is unpredictable, any tissue growth or lump should be immediately brought to the attention of a healthcare provider. A fast-growing lump, along with a change in texture and limited mobility, raises concerns about the presence of soft tissue sarcoma.

Belly Pain That's Getting Worse

Abdominal pain may also be a soft tissue sarcoma sign, especially when the tumor grows in the abdominal region. Sarcoma in the uterus may also cause abdominal pain. Patients with persistent abdominal pain should consult the doctor for an appropriate diagnosis and optimal treatment. It is important to note that soft tissue sarcoma is not the primary consideration for abdominal pain, as several other less serious conditions may cause abdominal pain. However, abdominal pain should not be ignored and should be evaluated by the doctor.

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are not the common soft tissue sarcoma cancer symptoms. However, if the patients have soft tissue sarcoma in the abdominal region, they may experience nausea and vomiting. During the advanced stages of the disease, the abdominal sarcoma grows in size and obstructs the normal functioning of the digestive tract, resulting in nausea and vomiting.

Unexpected Weight Loss

Unexplained weight loss may also be a soft tissue sarcoma sign. There are several causes of weight loss in patients with soft tissue sarcoma. These include reduced appetite, increased metabolism, malabsorption, and treatment-related side effects. Weight loss is more prominent in the advanced stages of the disease when the cancer invades other body parts.

Blood in Stools

Tarry stools may also be a soft tissue sarcoma sign, especially when the tumor grows in the abdominal cavity. The tarry stools suggest internal bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. In advanced stages, the cancer may spread from the primary site to the abdominal regions and may cause blood in the stools.

What Does Soft Tissue Sarcoma Look Like?

Soft tissue sarcoma is not an easily recognizable condition due to non-specific symptoms. Advanced diagnostic techniques, such as MRI, CT scans, or biopsy, are required for diagnosing soft tissue sarcoma. Soft tissue sarcoma cancer symptoms, such as lumps, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and tarry stools, are also the symptoms of various other conditions. The doctor should evaluate any new lump or rapid change in the size of the pre-existing lump. The appearance of the soft tissue sarcoma lump varies depending on the specific type of soft tissue sarcoma.

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What are Soft Tissue Sarcoma Causes?

Several patients inquire about what causes sarcoma cancer. Some of the soft tissue sarcoma causes include:

Inherited (genetic) disorders

While most soft tissue sarcomas are not directly associated with inherited or genetic disorders, certain genetic conditions increase the risk of developing these tumors and serve as possible soft tissue sarcoma causes. The following are the genetic disorders that are associated with the possible development of soft tissue sarcoma:

Li Fraumeni syndrome

It is a rare genetic disorder that is caused by mutations in the TP53 gene. Individuals with Li-Fraumeni syndrome have a higher risk of developing various types of cancer, including soft tissue sarcomas.

Neurofibromatosis Type 1

It is a genetic disorder caused by an NF1 gene mutation. In several cases, patients with NF1 develop benign tumors, such as neurofibroma. However, in some cases, patients with NF1 develop malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors.

Gardner syndrome

People with Gardner syndrome have an enhanced risk of various tumors, including soft tissue sarcomas.

A History of Radiation Therapy

History of radiation therapy is also one of the possible soft tissue sarcoma causes. The risk of soft tissue sarcoma is higher in patients who have undergone radiation therapy, especially at a younger age.


Having Lymphedema in Arms or Legs

Lymphedema is a condition that involves the accumulation of fluid in the tissues, resulting in swelling. Patients suffering from chronic lymphedema, which is caused by surgical removal of the lymph nodes or radiation therapy to the lymph nodes, are at higher risk of developing soft tissue sarcoma.


Chemical Exposure

Exposure to certain chemicals is also one of the possible soft tissue sarcoma causes. These chemicals include dioxins, chlorophenols, phenoxy herbicides, and vinyl chloride.


HIV

Patients with HIV infections are at higher risk of developing several types of cancer, including soft tissue sarcoma. It is mainly due to the compromised immune system in such patients.

When to See an Oncologist?

Patients should not ignore soft tissue sarcoma cancer symptoms, such as lumps, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and blood in stools. Consult an oncologist if the patients experience these or additional symptoms that cause concern.

Conclusion

The soft tissue sarcoma signs include painful or painless lumps, nausea and vomiting, unintended weight loss, and black and tarry stools. The possible soft tissue sarcoma causes include genetic disorders, a history of radiation therapy, underlying medical conditions such as HIV and lymphedema, and exposure to chemicals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take soft tissue sarcoma to spread?

Different subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma have different rates of growth. Some are aggressive, while others are slow-growing.

Soft tissue sarcomas can occur anywhere in the body but are most commonly found in the legs, arms, and trunk. Other common locations include the abdomen, head, and neck regions.

Soft tissue sarcoma does not cause symptoms in the early stages. The symptoms are more pronounced in advanced stages. The period of symptom presentation depends on the soft tissue sarcoma subtypes.

Unexplained weight loss, a painful or painless fast-growing lump, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and blood in stools are the red flags for soft tissue sarcoma.

Exposure to certain chemicals and a history of radiation therapy may increase the risk of soft tissue sarcoma.