Sarcoma

• Types of bone sarcoma

  • Osteosarcoma
  • Chondrosarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma
• Types of soft tissue sarcoma

  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Leiomyosarcoma
  • Liposarcoma
  • Synovial sarcoma
  • Angiosarcoma
  • Kaposi’s sarcoma
• Sarcomas are cancers originating in the muscles, bones or other types of connective tissue
• There are many subtypes of sarcoma, which vary in their histology, location and degree of malignancy
• The prognosis of sarcoma depends greatly on the type, location, size, and stage of the sarcoma
• Kaposi’s sarcoma

  Cancer caused by human herpesvirus 8, most often seen in patients with end-stage HIV, causing typical red/purple raised skin lesions but also affecting other parts of the body
• Prognosis of sarcoma

  • Depends greatly on the type, location, size, and stage of the sarcoma. Ranges from greater than 90% 5-year survival for well-differentiated and resectable liposarcoma to less than 10% for angiosarcoma affecting the liver
• Presentation of sarcoma


  The presenting symptoms vary dependent on the location and size of the lesion. Key features that should raise suspicions include: A soft tissue lump, particularly if growing, painful, or large; Bone swelling; Persistent bone pain
• Investigations for sarcoma

  1. ray is the initial investigation for bony lumps or persistent pain. Ultrasound is the initial investigation for soft tissue lumps. CT or MRI scans may be used to visualize the lesion in more detail and look for metastatic spread. Biopsy is required to look at the histology of the cancer
• Staging of sarcoma

  Staging is either with the TNM staging system or a number system that grades the cancer from stage 1 (earliest) to stage 4 (most advanced). The most common location for sarcoma to metastasize to is the lungs
• Management of sarcoma

  Guided by the sarcoma multidisciplinary team (MDT). Specialist sarcoma centers in various locations in the UK specialize in managing sarcoma. Treatment may involve surgery (surgical resection is the preferred treatment), radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or palliative care
• Last updated

  August 2021