Early Detection, Diagnosis, and Staging of Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Learn about the signs and symptoms of soft tissue sarcomas. Find out how soft tissue sarcomas are tested for, diagnosed, and staged.

Signs and symptoms of soft tissue sarcomas

About half of soft tissue sarcomas start in an arm or leg. Most people notice a lump that's grown over a few weeks or months. The lump may or may not hurt.

About 4 of 10 sarcomas begin in the abdomen (belly). When sarcomas grow in the back of the abdomen (the retroperitoneum), the symptoms often come from other problems the tumor is causing. For instance, they might cause blockages or bleeding in the stomach or bowels. They can press on nerves, blood vessels, or nearby organs. They can grow large enough for the tumor to be felt in the belly. Sometimes the tumors cause pain. 

In rare cases, sarcomas can start in the chest or in the head or neck. 

If you have any of these problems, see a doctor right away:

• A new lump or a lump that's growing anywhere on your body
• Abdominal pain that's getting worse
• Blood in your stool or vomit
• Black, tarry stools (from bleeding in the stomach or bowels)

These symptoms are more often caused by things other than soft tissue sarcomas, but they still need to be checked out by a doctor.

Tests for soft tissue sarcomas

If a soft tissue sarcoma is suspected, exams, tests, and a biopsy (a sample of cells) will be needed to confirm the diagnosis.

If cancer is found, further tests will be done to learn more about the cancer to help guide treatment.

Stages and survival rates for soft tissue sarcomas

After a soft tissue sarcoma diagnosis, many people want to understand what to expect. The stage of a cancer describes how much cancer is in the body. It helps determine how serious the cancer is and how best to treat it.

Survival rates are a way to measure how many people survive a certain type of cancer over time. Some people find this information helpful, while others prefer to focus more on treatment plans and next steps.