Evidence suggests that some genetic disorders and mutations predispose people to benign and cancerous soft tissue tumors. The cause of most soft tissue tumors is not known. Conditions with similar symptomsĪ hematoma, cyst from arthritis, or swelling from a sprain or strain might be confused with a soft tissue tumor. For example, a gene linked to neurofibromatosis – nerve-sheath tumors – has shown likelihood to become cancerous. Rare genetic abnormalities and disorders can predispose people to benign and malignant soft tissue tumors. Lifestyle factors, injury, and infection have not been consistently proven to cause soft tissue tumors in the majority of cases. Most people with a soft tissue tumor do not have a well-defined cause for their tumor. Kaposi’s sarcoma is an example of an infection-induced soft tissue tumor –resulting from a type of herpes in patients who also have HIV. Exposure to radiation and environmental carcinogens has been associated with soft tissue tumors. AcquisitionĮvidence suggests that some genetic disorders and mutations predispose people to benign and cancerous soft tissue tumors. In the vast majority of cases, a soft tissue tumor is a spontaneous occurrence without a well-defined cause. For example, synovial sarcoma is more often found in young adults. Some sarcomas are more prevalent among specific populations. However, sarcomas occur more often in children and young adults, and men have a slightly higher rate of sarcoma than women. Soft tissue tumors affect every segment of the population. Benign soft tissue tumors are discovered at a significantly higher rate than sarcomas. Some 10,000 new soft tissue and bone sarcomas (cancerous growths) are diagnosed annually in the United States. Because the tissue masses often cause no pain, people tend to think the bumps are not harmful. Such misperceptions can contribute to delayed diagnoses of soft tissue tumors – often as long as three to six months after the patient's initial discovery of a bump or lump. Facts and mythsĭepending on its location, a soft tissue mass often is initially misdiagnosed as a muscle sprain, hematoma, or old trauma that will heal in time. Any sprain or hematoma (bruise) that lasts longer than six weeks merits additional medical scrutiny for the possibility of sarcoma (cancerous growth). However, any suspected (cancerous growth) should be worked-up and biopsied as soon as possible so further treatment can be rendered.Īny newly discovered mass of unknown origin that is growing should be evaluated by a specialist. Not all soft tissue masses require surgery, and removal of a known benign tumor can be safely delayed.
Immediate medical attentionĪ newly found soft tissue mass is rarely an emergent condition. The masses – benign or cancerous – come to clinical attention more quickly when they are located in the arms and legs, as opposed to the chest or abdomen, because less room exists in arms and legs for such masses to be mistaken for other bodily structures.
Cancerous masses are more likely to grow rapidly, and to have fingerlets or satellite lesions around them.Īccording to the National Cancer Institute, about 43 percent of sarcomas occur in arms and legs 34 percent occur in and around internal organs 10 percent occur in the chest and back region and 13 percent occur in other locations. Sarcomas (cancerous growths) more often are painless. Benign tumors also tend to grow more slowly, and many are smaller than 5 cm (2 inches) at their longest point. Benign masses are more likely to be painful to the touch, such as with an abscess. Masses greater than 5 cm (2 inches) carry the highest risk of being malignant and merit a medical evaluation. Generally these growths are roughly round in shape, but they also can be or elliptical or elongated like a sausage. Benign masses are thought to occur 10 times more frequently than cancerous growths (referred to medically as sarcomas).
Soft tissue tumors can be cancerous or benign.