The American Cancer society's most recent estimates for soft tissue sarcomas in the United States are for 2009 (these statistics include both adults and children):

• About 10,660 new soft tissue sarcomas will be diagnosed (5,780 cases in males and 4,880 cases in females).
• 3,820 Americans (1,960 males and 1,860 females) are expected to die of soft tissue sarcomas.

The most common types of sarcoma in adults are malignant fibrous histiocytoma, liposarcoma, and leiomyosarcoma. Certain types are more common in certain areas of the body than others. For example, leiomyosarcomas are the most common abdominal sarcoma, while liposarcomas and malignant fibrous histiocytomas are most common in the legs. But pathologists (doctors who specialize in diagnosing cancers by how they look under the microscope), may not always agree on the exact type of sarcoma. Sarcomas of uncertain type are very common.

Last Medical Review: 03/03/2009
Last Revised: 05/14/2009