Sarcoma is a malignant condition that begins in the muscles or bones. Sarcomas in soft tissues and bones are the most significant types of sarcoma. The sarcomas in the soft tissue can thrive in deeper skin tissues, blood vessels, fibrous tissues, nerves, muscles, and fat. They mostly start developing in the leg or arm. They can be in other body parts as well. The main types of sarcoma are osteosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma.

Risk factors for developing soft tissue sarcomas include radiations and genetic pre-disposal. Inherited gene mutations may predispose one to sarcomas. Conditions that could be inherited are Tuberous Sclerosis, Gorlin Syndrome, Werner Syndrome, Retinoblastoma, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Gardner Syndrome neurofibromatosis. Additionally, chemical substances like arsenic and vinyl chloride may predispose one to developing liver sarcomas. There are over 50 known sarcomas of soft tissues. Apart from bone and muscles cancers, there are also:

• Synovial sarcoma
• Myxofibrosarcoma
• Neurogenic sarcomas
• Liposarcomas
• Kaposi sarcoma
• Angiosarcoma
• Adult fibrosarcoma

Individuals hailing from families with a history of inherited conditions should seek early genetic tests. Early detection allows physicians to identify any growths or lumps, leading to early intervention. The swelling may be painful or not. It grows over weeks. Sarcomas in the retroperitoneum region may lead to bleeding and blockage of the bowels. Doxorubicin is essential in the epithelioid sarcoma chemotherapy. The following are symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma:

1. A growing lump
It is the primary sign of epithelioid sarcoma cancer. The swelling occurs around the tumor. If it grows over a muscle or a nerve, it is associated with pain. Whether the lump is painful or not, seek medical assistance from your physician. The swelling may be so irritating and uncomfortable when in the legs or arms. Lipomas are the most popular soft tissue lumps. Lipomas are not malignant. If the nodes are more expensive than 5 centimeters, seeking medical help from a doctor is beneficial. Epithelioid sarcoma treatment could be in the form of biopsy or adjuvants. Treatment is usually a combination therapy of chemotherapy as an adjuvant together with radiation. It involves the use of doxorubicin for lumps greater than 5cm.

2. Abdominal pain
If the tumor develops in the abdomen, it can cause the bowels to bleed and obstruct the bowel. To the patient, this radiates as pain in the stomach. Individuals whose sarcomas begin in the abdominal regions may lack symptoms and feel fullness or tender abdomen. Sarcomas growing on the uterine walls may lead to increased size of the uterus.

3. Bone fracture
There is severe pain in the cancerous bone. Initially, the tenderness isn’t constant. It worsens overnight and, more so, with rigorous activities. After a few weeks, swelling follows on the painful part. If cancer is in the neck bones, a lump appears at the back of the throat. The node presents difficulty in breathing and swallowing. Cancer weakens the bones and may predispose to sudden bone fractures.

4. Blood in vomit or stool
It’s an uphill task diagnosing stomach cancers because of the non-specificity of the symptoms. It may be confused with those of ulcers and stomach viruses. A cancerous stomach causes blood in stool or vomit. Severe loss of weight and fatigue are also present. The vomit may be blood-stained because of bleeding in the intestinal mucosa.

5. Black stool
Blood-stained stool and black stool indicate internal bleeding due to the sarcoma in the gut. Patients exhibiting these symptoms must seek medical intervention immediately.