…adult soft tissue sarcoma. The soft tissues of the body include the muscles, tendons (the bands of fiber that connect muscles to bones), fat, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves and the tissues around joints.
Most frequently, though, adult soft tissue sarcoma develops in the legs, arms, chest or the area behind the abdomen called the retroperitoneum.
Adult soft tissue sarcoma is a disease in which malignant cells form in the soft tissues of the body. In the early stages, it rarely causes symptoms because the tumors often are located deep in the tissue.”
Soft tissue sarcomas can grow to be quite large before causing symptoms because they often are embedded deep in the body.
Most commonly, soft tissue sarcomas feel like masses or bumps, which may be painful. If the tumor is in the abdomen, it may produce nausea or a sensation of fullness as well as pain.
Adult soft tissue sarcoma is rare. Among adults, they represent less than 1 percent of all cancers.
It’s important to talk with your doctor about any lumps that are larger than two inches (about the size of a golf ball), grow larger, or are painful regardless of their location.