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.
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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Sigma Nursing answeredSee All 2 AnswersNot much is known about what causes adult soft tissue sarcoma, but it has something to do with the DNA that controls soft tissue cells. In people with adult soft tissue sarcoma, something has damaged the DNA that controls the production and growth of cells in soft tissue. These mutations cause new cells to develop too quickly and old cells to stay alive for too long. This results in a buildup of cells that forms a tumor. Many times, the DNA is damaged by external sources, such as chemicals or radiation. Sometimes, certain genetic disorders may damage the soft tissue DNA. In many cases, though, doctors are not sure what causes the DNA abnormalities that lead to adult soft tissue sarcoma.
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Sigma Nursing answered
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.
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Riverside Cancer Care Center answeredCancer 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.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answeredSynovial sarcoma is rare. It accounts for between 5 and 10 percent of the approximately 10,000 new soft tissue sarcomas reported each year. Synovial sarcoma occurs mostly in young adults, with a median age of 26.5. Approximately 30 percent of patients with synovial sarcoma are younger than 20. This disease occurs more often in men than in women.This answer is based on source information from the National Cancer Institute.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answeredSynovial sarcoma is a slow-growing tumor. Because it grows slowly, a person may not have or notice symptoms for some time, resulting in a delay in diagnosis. The most common symptoms of synovial sarcoma are swelling or a mass that may be tender or painful. The tumor may limit range of motion or press against nerves and cause numbness. The symptoms of synovial sarcoma can be mistaken for those of inflammation of the joints, the bursae, or synovial tissue. These noncancerous conditions are called arthritis, bursitis, and synovitis, respectively.
This answer is based on source information from the National Cancer Institute.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answeredThe doctor may use the following procedures and tests to diagnose synovial sarcoma: Biopsy: Tissue is removed for examination under a microscope. Immunohistochemical analysis: Tumor tissue is tested for certain antigen and antibody interactions common to synovial sarcoma. Ultrastructural findings: The tissue is examined using an ultramicroscope and electron microscope. Genetic testing: Tissue is tested for a specific chromosome abnormality common to synovial sarcoma.
This answer is based on source information from National Cancer Institute. -
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answeredThe type of treatment depends on the age of the patient, the location of the tumor, its size, its grade (how abnormal the cancer cells look under a microscope and how likely the tumor will quickly grow and spread), and the extent of the disease. The most common treatment is surgery to remove the entire tumor with negative margins (no cancer cells are found at the edge or border of the tissue removed during surgery). If the first surgery does not obtain negative tissue margins, a second surgery may be needed.
The patient may also receive radiation therapy before or after surgery to control the tumor or decrease the chance of recurrence (cancer coming back). The use of intraoperative radiation therapy (radiation aimed directly at the tumor during surgery) and brachytherapy (radioactive material sealed in needles, wires, seeds, or catheters, and placed directly into or near a tumor) are under study.
Patients may also receive chemotherapy alone or in combination with radiation therapy.
This answer is based on source information from the National Cancer Institute.
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Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered
Adult soft tissue sarcomas are a type of cancer that causes tumors in the body's soft tissue. Examples of soft tissues are nerves, muscles, tendons, blood vessels, and fat. Different types of soft tissue sarcomas that affect adults may form in different places, but it most commonly affects the limbs and sometimes the internal organs or other areas. Most types of soft tissue sarcoma have similar symptoms and treatment options.