Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Adult

No one knows exactly what causes soft tissue sarcoma, a cancer of soft bodily tissues such as muscles, tendons and fat. The National Cancer Institute says that exposure to radiation therapy as a child and certain genetic diseases such as von Recklinghausen disease can boost your risk of developing this cancer as an adult. If you have such a tumor, you might notice a lump or swelling in a certain area and feel pain or have trouble breathing from the tumor pressing on nerves or organs.

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QWhat causes adult soft tissue sarcoma?

2 Answers

A
A Ashleigh Pugh-Clarke , Oncology Nursing, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing
While the exact cause of adult soft tissue sarcoma is not known, some genetic alterations, environmental, and other factors have been identified as possible causes. Because of the large variety of sarcomas that exist, some factors may contribute to the cause of specific types of sarcoma (and not all types). For example: Paget's disease has been linked to osteosarcoma; and Ollier's disease may develop into chondrosarcoma.

Environmental risk factors related to sarcomas include pollutants, smoking, chemicals, infectious disease and radiation. Some sarcomas have been related to occupational exposures which include:

Cholorophenoles

Copper exposure

Androgenic-anabolic steroids

Herbicides

Arsenic

Dioxins

Ionizing radiation

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Exposure in the workplace to higher concentrations of certain chemicals (i.e. radon or asbestos), metals and ionizing radiation provides a greater risk, which increases substantially with prolonged exposure, more intense exposure, and higher concentrations of pollutants.

Some hereditary conditions have been identified as influencing factors as well. These include:

Familial gastrointestinal stromal tumors syndrome (GIST)

Hereditary leiomyomatosis & renal cell syndrome

Li-Fraumeni syndrome

Von Recklinghausen disease

Hereditary retinoblastoma (Rb)

Werner syndrome

Bloom syndrome

It is important to note that immune suppression with conditions such as the Epstein Barr virus (EBV), human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has also been linked to some sarcomas.

In general, all cancer is caused by a sequence of genetic alterations that influence the loss of tumor-suppressor gene (TSG) function which results in damage to cell growth regulation. This applies to sarcoma as well as two very common genes that are often found to be altered in sarcomas are the p53 gene and the retinoblastoma (Rb) gene.

Finally, factors such as tobacco use, physical inactivity, and a diet high in saturated fat and low in fiber has the potential to influence one's overall risk of cancer.

Reference:

Samuel, L. C. (2010). Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas. In C.H. Yarbro, D. Wujcik, and B.H. Gobel (Eds.). Cancer nursing: Principles and practice (7th Ed.). Boston: Jones and Bartlett.
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QWhat are the symptoms of adult soft tissue sarcomas?

1 Answer

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A Dr. Jeanne Morrison, PhD , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

Symptoms of adult soft tissue sarcoma may not be noticeable until the cancer has gone past its early stages. The first sign is usually a mass or a swollen lump. If the tumor affects muscles or nerves, it may be painful, but this usually is not the case. Other symptoms may vary depending on where the tumor develops. It may cause bloody stool or abdominal pain if it develops in the abdomen area. Since the symptoms of adult soft tissue sarcoma vary so much and can seem like those of other conditions, it is important to talk to a doctor if you notice any symptoms.
QHow do adult soft tissue sarcomas affect the body?

1 Answer

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A Diana Meeks , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

As the name implies, adult soft tissue sarcomas start in the cells of the body's soft tissue. Examples of soft tissue include blood vessels, muscles, fatty tissue, fibrous tissue, and tendons. When certain DNA mutations occur, it causes an overproduction of cells that form a tumor in the soft tissue. Most commonly, adult soft tissue sarcomas form in the arms or legs, but they can also affect internal organs and other locations. These tumors usually cause a painless lump to form but, depending on what area is affected, adult soft tissue sarcoma can affect the body in a variety of ways. If tumors are not treated, they often grow large enough to cause pain or create other complications throughout the body.
QWhat are the different types of primary bone cancer?

1 Answer

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A Riverside Cancer Care Center answered

Cancer can begin in any type of bone tissue. Bones are made up of osteoid (hard or compact), cartilaginous (tough, flexible), and fibrous (threadlike) tissue, as well as elements of bone marrow (soft, spongy tissue in the center of most bones).
Common types of primary bone cancer include:
Osteosarcoma, which arises from osteoid tissue in the bone. This tumor occurs most often in the knee and upper arm. Chondrosarcoma, which begins in cartilaginous tissue. Cartilage pads the ends of bones and lines the joints. Chondrosarcoma occurs most often in the pelvis (located between the hip bones), upper leg, and shoulder. Sometimes a chondrosarcoma contains cancerous bone cells. In that case, doctors classify the tumor as an osteosarcoma. The Ewing Sarcoma Family of Tumors (ESFTs), which usually occur in bone but may also arise in soft tissue (muscle, fat, fibrous tissue, blood vessels, or other supporting tissue). Scientists think that ESFTs arise from elements of primitive nerve tissue in the bone or soft tissue. ESFTs occur most commonly along the backbone and pelvis and in the legs and arms.
Other types of cancer that arise in soft tissue are called soft tissue sarcomas. They are not bone cancer and are not described in this resource.
This answer is based on source information from National Cancer Institute.