Signs and symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma

Last medical review:

Soft tissue sarcoma may not cause any signs and symptoms in its early stages. Signs and symptoms often appear as the tumour grows and presses on nerves, muscles or other parts of the body. Other health conditions can cause the same signs and symptoms as soft tissue sarcoma.

The signs or symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma can vary depending on where the tumour starts in the body.

When soft tissue sarcoma starts in an arm, a leg, or in the head or neck, the most common sign is swelling or a lump that keeps growing. There may sometimes be pain.

When soft tissue sarcoma starts in the central part of the body (called the torso or trunk), it may cause vague swelling in the abdomen, or pain in the abdomen or back.

Expert review and references

  • Michael Monument, MD, MSc, FRCSC
  • Macmillan Cancer Support. Soft Tissue Sarcoma. 2021. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/.
  • Samuel LC. Bone and soft tissue sarcomas. Yarbro CH, Wujcik D, Gobel B (eds.). Cancer Nursing: Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Burlington, MA: Jone & Bartlett Learning; 2018: Kindle version, chapter 46, https://read.amazon.ca/?asin=B01M6ZZEWT&ref_=kwl_kr_iv_rec_1.
  • Singer S, Tap WD, Kirsch DG, Agaram NP, D'Angelo SP, Crago AM. Soft Tissue Sarcoma. DeVita VT Jr, Lawrence TS, Rosenberg S. eds. DeVita Hellman and Rosenberg's Cancer: Principles and Practice of Oncology . 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2023: Kindle version, [chapter 60], https://read.amazon.ca/?asin=B0BG3DPT4Q&language=en-CA.

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