About Sarcoma

What is sarcoma?
Sarcoma is extremely rare – representing about 1% of all cancers or 20,000 to 30,000 cases in the United States each year. It is not a single disease but rather a group of cancers that develop in the bone or connective tissue. Cancer occurs when cells mutate (change abnormally) and begin growing out of control. These cells form tumors that can often be seen on imaging like an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI.

A biopsy is required to determine the diagnosis of a tumor that appears suspicious on imaging.

How does sarcoma develop?
Many patients wonder why they developed sarcoma or if they are at a high risk for the disease.

In general, cancer develops after the genetic material in cells changes abnormally and the cells begin growing out of control. When there are enough of these abnormal cells, they can form a tumor.

People who have had sarcoma before are at higher risk of recurrence.