Sarcomas

Sarcomas are a group of rare cancers that account for less than 1% of all cancers diagnosed in the United States. Unlike most solid tumors, sarcomas start in connective tissue, which is found throughout the body in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, nerves, organs, and deeper layers of the skin.

Sarcomas affect people of all ages, ethnicities, and sexes, and there are more than 100 subtypes. They are generally divided into two groups: soft tissue sarcomas (STS) and bone sarcomas.

The most common subtype of STS is gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), which most often arises in the stomach but can also occur in other parts of the gastrointestinal tract. Other common types of STS include undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, and rhabdomyosarcoma. Common bone sarcomas include osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and chondrosarcoma.

Because sarcomas vary widely in their biological behavior, treatment is highly individualized. At Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, our multidisciplinary team works closely to develop personalized treatment plans based on each patient's diagnosis, tumor type, and treatment goals, while also providing access to specialized expertise and clinical trials when appropriate.