Quick Quiz: Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Soft tissue sarcoma is a rare form of cancer that begins in tissues that connect or support other structures in the body, such as fat, muscle, nerves, fibrous tissues, blood vessels, or deep skin tissues.^1,2 Although the majority of soft tissue sarcomas originate in the arms or legs, they can also be found in internal organs or the retroperitoneum, the trunk, or the head and neck area.^1,2 Soft tissue sarcomas are most commonly diagnosed in children, accounting for approximately 15% of all pediatric cancers.³ According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 13,190 individuals (7590 men and 5600 women) will be diagnosed with soft tissue sarcomas in the United States in 2022, and approximately 5130 individuals (2740 men and 2390 women) will die from the disease.¹ How much do you know about soft tissue sarcomas?

There are more than 50 different subtypes of soft tissue sarcomas, accounting for approximately 1% of adult cancers.¹ In adults, the most common types of soft tissue sarcomas are undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, which is most often found in the arms and legs in older adults; liposarcoma, which frequently start in the thigh, behind the knee, and in the retroperitoneum in adults aged 50 to 65 years; and leiomyosarcoma, which often originates in the abdomen, but can also start in the arms, legs, or uterus.^1-4 The 5-year overall survival rate for soft tissue sarcoma for all stages combined is 65%; 81% for localized disease, 56% for regional disease, and 15% for distant disease.¹ Public awareness of soft tissue sarcomas needs to become a priority because the rarity of the disease remains a barrier to adequate research that can improve patient outcomes.