What is soft tissue sarcomas?

You may feel a swelling or lump near the tumor. Or you may feel pain or have trouble breathing if the tumor grows large enough to press against nerves or organs inside your body.

Some common types of soft tissue sarcomas in children include:

Rhabdomyosarcomas.

This is the most common type of soft tissue tumor in children. It can form anywhere in the body, but is often found in the head and neck area, the arms and legs, or in the genitals and urinary tract.

Synovial sarcomas.

This is often found near joints, such as near the knee, but may appear in other places.

Peripheral nerve sheath tumors.

These tumors are made up of nerve cells.

Infantile fibrosarcomas.

This is often found in the torso and extremities. It's more common in very young children.

Other types of soft tissue tumors may appear on the skin, nerves, belly, and limbs.

Treatment for a soft tissue sarcoma is based on the stage, type, and location of the cancer and other things, such as your overall health. The main treatments include:

Surgery.

You'll probably have surgery to remove the cancer.

Radiation therapy.

This uses high-dose X-rays to destroy cancer cells and shrink tumors. It may be used before, during, or after surgery.

Chemotherapy.

These medicines kill fast-growing cells, including cancer cells and some normal cells.

In some cases, other treatments may be used, such as:

Targeted therapy.

These medicines target cancer cells and may cause less harm to normal cells. They help keep cancer from growing or spreading.

Immunotherapy.

This treatment helps your immune system fight cancer. It may be given in several ways.

Sometimes a clinical trial may be a good choice.

Your doctor will talk with you about your options and then make a treatment plan.

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and past health. You'll have a physical exam. You may have an X-ray, an ultrasound, a CT scan, or an MRI. You may need blood tests and lab work. In some cases, you may need a biopsy of the tumor.

Taking medicines as prescribed and getting enough sleep may help you feel better. If it's hard to eat, talk to your doctor or a dietitian. Get some physical activity each day if you can. Consider joining a support group or talking with a counselor.

A soft tissue sarcoma is a growth of abnormal cells in the body's soft tissues. These tissues include the muscles, lymph and blood vessels, nerves, and fat. It can also include cartilage and other connective tissue. When cancer cells are found in the tissue, the tumor is called malignant.

Sarcoma is another name for a malignant soft tissue tumor. Sarcomas can spread to other parts of the body, like the lungs.