Sarcoma

Sarcoma - A malignant (cancerous) tumor which forms in the connective or supportive tissues of the body, including bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, or blood vessels. A rare disease, sarcoma normally occurs in less than one percent of all people diagnosed with cancer (though it does account for about 15 percent of all childhood cancers). Sarcomas are classified into two main groups: soft tissue sarcomas and bone sarcomas.

Soft tissues connect, support, and surround other body structures. Soft tissue sarcomas can develop from fat, muscle, nerves, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, and the lining of the joints. Most soft tissue sarcomas occur in the arms, legs, hands, or feet.

Bone is the supporting framework of the body. The most common forms of bone cancer can occur in the growing bone tissue (osteosarcoma), cartilage (chondrosarcoma), and immature tissue in bone marrow (Ewing's sarcoma). Bone cancer most commonly occurs in the long bones of the arms or legs.

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