Soft tissue sarcoma is a broad term for cancers that start in soft tissues (muscle, tendons, fat, lymph and blood vessels, and nerves). These cancers can develop anywhere in the body but are found mostly in the arms, legs, chest, and abdomen.

How do people get soft tissue sarcoma?

DNA mutations in soft tissue sarcoma are common. But they're usually acquired during life rather than having been inherited before birth. Acquired mutations may result from exposure to radiation or cancer-causing chemicals. In most sarcomas, they occur for no apparent reason.

Is soft tissue sarcoma life threatening?

Although life-threatening in about half of those diagnosed, for many, soft tissue sarcomas can be treated. Finally, newer treatments of soft tissue sarcoma are emerging. For example, regional chemotherapy, which is chemotherapy that targets specific body parts like arms or legs, is an active area of research.