Sarcoma is a group of rare solid tumors of connective tissue. More than 50 different histologic subtypes are known.
Most commonly it presents as a soft-tissue swelling, which may or may not be painful. Differential diagnoses that should be considered are lymphoma, metastatic carcinoma, and benign lesions such as lipoma and neuroma.
Some sarcomas are associated with specific gene mutations, in particular chromosomal translocations.
Diagnosis is made by biopsy, which should have a sufficient amount of tissue for accurate pathologic diagnosis.
Pathology should be reviewed by an expert pathologist who has experience in sarcoma histology. Diagnostic laboratory methods may include immunohistochemistry, cytogenetics, and molecular genetic testing.
Treatment is based on stage and histological subtype, with only some subtypes being chemotherapy-sensitive.
Sarcoma is a group of rare solid tumors originating in mesenchymal (connective tissue) cells and accounting for 1% of all adult malignancies. They can be divided into 2 broad categories: sarcoma of soft tissues (including fat, muscle, nerve and nerve sheath, blood vessels, and other connective tissue) and sarcoma of bone.
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More than 50 different histologic subtypes of sarcoma of soft tissues are known.
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