Cancer is made of changed cells that grow out of control. The changed (abnormal) cells often grow to form a lump or mass called a tumor. Cancer cells can also grow into (invade) nearby areas. And they can spread to other parts of the body. This is called metastasis.

Sarcoma is a type of cancer that starts in the body's connective tissues. These are tissues that support, protect, and connect the body, like bones, nerves, and muscles. Sarcomas are rare in adults. They are more common in children.

Soft tissue sarcomas can start in muscles, tendons, blood vessels, fat, nerves, and deep skin tissues. There are more than 50 different types of soft tissue sarcomas. Most start in the arms and legs. The second most common site is the belly (abdomen). But these cancers can start in almost any part of the body.

A risk factor is anything that may increase your chance of having a disease. The exact cause of someone's cancer may not be known. But risk factors can make it more likely for a person to have cancer. Some risk factors may not be in your control. But others may be things you can change.

The risk factors for soft tissue sarcoma include:

• Exposure to radiation used to treat other cancers, such as breast cancer or lymphoma.
• Certain family (inherited) genetic cancer syndromes, such as neurofibromatosis, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Gardner syndrome, or hereditary retinoblastoma.
• Exposure to certain chemicals (especially in the workplace), such as dioxin and herbicides containing high levels of phenoxyacetic acid.
• Long-lasting (chronic) swelling in the arms or legs (lymphedema).
• HIV and human herpes virus 8 infections, which have been linked to Kaposi sarcoma.

Talk with your doctor about your risk factors for soft tissue sarcoma and what you can do about them.

Most people who get soft tissue sarcoma don't have any known risk factors. So there is no sure way to prevent this cancer.

There are no regular screening tests that can be done for soft tissue sarcoma. Screening tests are done to check for disease in people who don't have symptoms.

If you or anyone in your family has certain inherited syndromes that may raise your risk for this type of cancer, talk with your doctor.

Soft tissue sarcoma often doesn't cause symptoms until the cancer has grown for some time. Symptoms depend on where the tumor is and how big it is.

Some of the more common symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma are:

• A new or growing lump or swelling anywhere on your body, which often doesn't hurt.
• Trouble breathing.
• Belly pain that's getting worse.
• Blood in your vomit or stool. Tarry black stool could mean there's blood in your stool.

Many of these symptoms may be caused by other health problems. It's important to see a doctor if you have these symptoms. Your doctor can find out through an exam and testing if you have cancer.

Your doctor will ask you about your health history, symptoms, risk factors, and family history of disease. A physical exam will be done. Your doctor will consider these things when choosing tests to diagnose sarcoma.

You may also have one or more of these or other tests:

• X-rays
• Ultrasound
• CT scan
• MRI
• PET scan or PET/CT scan
• Biopsy

A biopsy is the only way to confirm cancer. Small pieces of tissue are taken out and checked in a lab by a pathologist for cancer cells. It's important to find out the right diagnosis. The pathologist may recommend doing more tests on the tissue. Your results may come back in about 1 week or may take longer if extra tests are needed.

After a diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma, you'll likely need other tests. These help your doctors learn more about the cancer. They can help determine the stage of the cancer. The stage is how much and how far the cancer has spread (metastasized) in your body. It is one of the most important things to know when deciding how to treat the cancer.

After your cancer is staged, your doctor will talk with you about what the stage means for your treatment. Be sure to ask your doctor to explain the stage of your cancer.

Your treatment choices depend on the type of sarcoma you have, test results, where the cancer is, and the stage of the cancer. The goal of treatment may be to cure you, control the cancer, or to help ease problems caused by the cancer. Talk with your care team about your treatment choices, the goals of treatment, and the possible risks and side effects.

Types of treatment for cancer are either local or systemic. Local treatments remove, destroy, or control cancer cells in one area. Surgery and radiation are local treatments. Systemic treatment is used to destroy or control cancer cells that may have traveled around your body. When taken by pill or injection, chemotherapy is a systemic treatment. You may have just one type of treatment or a combination of treatments.

Soft tissue sarcoma may be treated with:

• Surgery.
• Radiation therapy.
• Chemotherapy.
• Targeted therapy.
• Immunotherapy.

Talk with your doctors about your treatment choices. Make a list of questions. Think about the benefits and possible side effects of each choice. Talk about your concerns with your doctor before making a decision.

Cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy and radiation, can damage normal cells. This can cause side effects, such as hair loss, mouth sores, and vomiting.

Talk with your doctor about the side effects you might have and ways to manage them. There may be things you can do and medicines you can take to help prevent or control side effects.

Many people feel worried, depressed, and stressed when dealing with cancer. Getting treatment for cancer can be hard on your mind and body. Keep talking with your care team about any problems or concerns you may have. Work together to ease the effect of cancer and its symptoms on your daily life.

Here are some tips:

• Talk with your family or friends.
• Ask your care team or social worker for help.
• Speak with a counselor.
• Talk with a spiritual advisor, such as a minister or rabbi.
• Ask your care team about medicines for depression or anxiety.
• Keep socially active.
• Join a cancer support group in person or online.

Cancer treatment is also hard on the body. To help yourself stay healthier, try to:

• Eat healthy foods, with a focus on high-protein foods.
• Drink plenty of water, fruit juices, and other liquids.
• Keep physically active.
• Rest as much as needed.
• Talk with your care team about ways to manage treatment side effects.
• Take your medicines as directed by your care team.

Your doctor will talk with you about when to contact them. You may be told to contact your doctor if you have:

• New symptoms or symptoms that get worse.
• Signs of an infection, such as a fever.
• Side effects of treatment that affect your daily function or don't get better with treatment.

Ask your doctor what signs to watch for and when to contact them. Know how to get help after office hours and on weekends and holidays.

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your doctor tells you.
• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your doctor gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your doctor if you have questions, especially after office hours or on weekends.