Soft tissue sarcoma is a type of cancer that begins in the soft tissues of the body, including muscle, tendons, fat, lymph vessels, blood vessels, nerves, and tissue around joints. These cancer tumors can be found anywhere in the body but often form in the arms, legs, chest, or abdomen. Although it's not altogether clear what causes soft tissue sarcoma, like most cancers, it develops as normal cells begin a mutation process within the DNA. The type of cell that develops the mutation determines what type of soft tissue sarcoma will occur. The accumulation of abnormal cells forms a tumor that can grow to invade and spread to other parts of the body. Risk factors can include being over 50, chemical exposure, radiation exposure, and some inherited genetic syndromes. This episode of Healthy Body Healthy Mind will explore the types of soft tissue sarcomas, how they are diagnosed, and the work underway to provide more effective treatment options.
