info@1212sarcomafoundation.co.za
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Kwazulu- Natal, South Africa
Sarcoma is a rare malignancy that impacts bones and soft tissues within the body and can manifest at any age. While it constitutes only 1% of cancer cases in adults, it is more prevalent in pediatric populations, accounting for 20% of all childhood cancers. Sarcomas may develop from a variety of connective tissues, including nerves, muscles, joints, bones, adipose tissue, and blood vessels—arising from the cells that provide structural support to the body.
Sarcomas can occur in any anatomical location, as these connective tissues are widespread throughout the body. They often develop in deeper tissues and possess the potential to invade surrounding structures. Furthermore, they may disseminate to other organs, resulting in secondary malignancies referred to as “metastatic sarcoma,” which originate from the primary cancer.
Sarcomas are primarily classified into two categories: soft tissue sarcomas and bone sarcomas. Soft tissue sarcomas arise in connective tissues that support or encase other anatomical structures, such as muscles, tendons, and blood vessels. Bone sarcomas encompass entities like osteosarcoma, which develops in actively growing bones; chondrosarcoma, which arises from cartilage; and Ewing’s sarcoma, a variant that originates in immature nerve tissue within the bone marrow.
Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Soft tissue sarcomas refer to tumors that arise from tissues connecting, supporting, or surrounding various structures and organs within the body. These soft tissues include muscles, tendons (the fibrous bands that link muscles to bones), fibrous tissue, adipose tissue, blood vessels, nerves, and synovial tissues (which are found around joints). Malignant tumors originating in these soft tissues are termed sarcomas, a term derived from a Greek word meaning ‘fleshy growth’. A diverse array of soft tissue sarcomas exists, classified together due to shared microscopic features, similar clinical manifestations, and common treatment approaches.
Non-Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Non-soft tissue sarcomas are a significant category, with osteosarcoma being the most common form of bone cancer. Osteosarcoma develops in new tissue of growing bones, while chondrosarcoma originates in cartilage. Ewing’s sarcoma, another variant, begins in immature nerve tissue found within the bone marrow. Both osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma are more common in children and adolescents, whereas chondrosarcoma frequently occurs in adults. Below is a comprehensive list of the major sarcoma subtypes.
Alveolar Soft Part Sarcoma (ASPS)
Angiosarcoma
Chondrosarcoma
Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans
Desmoid Sarcoma
Ewing’s Sarcoma
Fibrosarcoma
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST)
Non-Uterine Leiomyosarcoma
Uterine Leiomyosarcoma
Liposarcoma
Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor (MPNST)
Osteosarcoma
Rhabdomyosarcoma
Synovial Sarcoma
