Sarcoma how do you get it

Myxofibrosarcoma : This affects the connective tissue and often develops in the arms and legs of older adults. Mesenchymomas : These are rare and combine elements of other sarcomas. They can occur in any part of the body.

It results from the human herpesvirus 8. Types of sarcoma of the bone include :. Fibrosarcoma : This occurs in fibrogenic tissue, which is a type of connective tissue. For more information about bone cancer, click here. In many cases, doctors do not know what causes sarcoma.

They tend to occur sporadically, with little or no family history. However, researchers have identified some possible risk factors :. High doses of radiation : Having undergone previous radiation therapy for cancer increases the risk of developing a soft tissue sarcoma later on.

Genetic conditions : Genetic factors may play a role. People with syndromes such as neurofibromatosis and tuberous sclerosis appear to have a higher risk of sarcoma. Exposure to chemicals : Exposure to vinyl chloride, dioxins, and phenoxyacetic herbicides may increase the risk, but more evidence is needed to confirm this.

A person should see their doctor if they notice a lump that is more than 2 inches across, if the lump is getting bigger, or if the person is experiencing pain. The doctor will :. If the person has previously undergone treatment to remove a tumor, the presence of a new growth may indicate that it has returned. What does a biopsy involve? Find out here. We usually look like our parents because they are the source of our DNA.

But DNA affects more than just the way we look. The DNA is made of genes. Genes carry the recipes for making proteins, the molecules that control all cell functions. Some genes contain instructions for proteins that control when our cells grow and divide. An inguinal hernia is a weakness of the muscle in the groin area. It is not clear why hernias increase the risk of sarcoma. Women who are very overweight obese may have a higher risk of sarcomas of the womb.

This is compared to women who are not overweight. Stories about potential causes are often in the media, and it isn't always clear which ideas are supported by evidence.

There might be things you have heard of that we haven't included here. This is because either there is no evidence about them, or it is less clear. Sometimes people think that an injury has caused a cancer. There's no evidence that an injury of any kind can cause a sarcoma. But an injury may draw attention to a sarcoma that was already there.

This is usually if the person has x-rays or scans. In most cases where people think an injury is responsible, the injury has only happened recently. It is unlikely to be linked to the cancer. You can read more detailed information on soft tissue sarcoma risks and causes in the Cancer Research UK Statistics section. The symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma will vary, depending on the size of the cancer and where it is in the body. There are many different types of soft tissue sarcoma.

Your outlook depends on which type you have. Soft tissue sarcomas are cancers that develop in the supporting tissues of the body. These include tissues such as the muscle, nerves, fat and blood vessels. You might have one or more of the following tests to diagnose and stage soft tissue sarcoma, or to check how well your treatment is working.

About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since Questions about cancer? If you have side effects, talk to your cancer care team so they can help. Targeted drugs attack the changes in cells that cause cancer. These drugs affect mainly cancer cells and not normal cells in the body. They come as pills that you can take at home.

These drugs have different side effects from chemo, and they are often not as bad. Side effects depend on which drug is used. These drugs might cause high blood pressure, loose stools, low blood counts, heart problems, and liver problems.

There are ways to treat most of the side effects caused by targeted drugs. Clinical trials are research studies that test new drugs or other treatments in people. They compare standard treatments with others that may be better. If you would like to learn more about clinical trials that might be right for you, start by asking your doctor if your clinic or hospital conducts clinical trials.

See Clinical Trials to learn more. Clinical trials are one way to get the newest cancer treatment. They are the best way for doctors to find better ways to treat cancer. And if you do sign up for a clinical trial, you can always stop at any time. When you have cancer you might hear about other ways to treat the cancer or treat your symptoms.

These may not always be standard medical treatments. These treatments may be vitamins, herbs, diets, and other things. You may wonder about these treatments. Some of these are known to help, but many have not been tested. Some have been shown not to help. A few have even been found to be harmful. Even when cancer never comes back, people still worry about it.

For years after treatment ends, you will see your cancer doctor. At first, your visits may be every few months. Be sure to go to all of these follow-up visits.

Your doctors will ask about symptoms, do physical exams, and may do blood tests or other tests to see if the cancer has come back.