Soft tissue sarcomas are cancers that develop in supporting or connective tissue such as the muscle, nerves, tendons, blood vessels and fatty and fibrous tissues.

They commonly affect the arms, legs and trunk. They also appear in the stomach and intestines (GIST) as well as behind the abdomen (retroperitoneal sarcomas) and the female reproductive system (gynaecological sarcomas).

The most common subtype of soft tissue sarcoma is GIST.

Below we list some of the subtypes. You can click here for a full list of sarcoma subtypes.

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Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma develops from the cells in skeletal muscle, and often in teenagers and young adults.

Alveolar soft part sarcoma

Alveolar soft part sarcoma is a very rare sarcoma that can occur anywhere throughout the body.

Angiosarcoma

Angiosarcoma develops from the cells that make up the walls of blood vessels.

Clear cell sarcoma

Clear cell sarcoma often occurs in the hands or the legs, usually around the ankles, knees and feet.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans

DFSP is a rare tumour that tends to develop from the cells in the middle layer of the skin, called the dermis.

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma

Embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma is one of the most common soft tissue sarcomas in children. It is far rarer in adults.

Epithelioid haemangioendothelioma

EHE is a very rare type of soft tissue sarcoma that develops from the cells lining the blood vessels.

Epithelioid sarcoma

Epithelioid sarcoma is a very rare type of soft tissue sarcoma.

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma

Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma often occurs in the upper parts of the arms or legs.

Fibrosarcoma

Fibrosarcoma is a type of sarcoma affecting the fibrous connective tissues of the body.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST)

GIST is a type of sarcoma that develops in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

Gynaecological sarcoma

Gynaecological sarcomas occur in the female reproductive system.

Head and neck sarcoma

Head and neck sarcomas are a group of tumours that can develop anywhere in the head and neck area.

Intimal sarcoma

Intimal sarcoma is a very rare type of soft tissue sarcoma that develops from cells in the large blood vessels of the body and sometimes in the heart.

Kaposi’s sarcoma

Kaposi’s sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that affects the skin, mouth and occasionally the internal organs.

Leiomyosarcoma

Leiomyosarcoma is a type of sarcoma that develops in the smooth muscle cells.

Liposarcoma

Liposarcoma develops from the fat cells found all over the body.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST)

MPNSTs, also known as neurofibrosarcomas, develop in the cells that cover nerves.

Myxofibrosarcoma

Myxofibrosarcoma is a type of soft tissue sarcoma that affects the body’s fibrous connective tissues.

PEComa

PEComa is a very rare type of soft tissue sarcoma that develops from the cells lining the blood vessels.

Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma

Pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma develops from the cells in skeletal muscle, usually in adults.

Retroperitoneal sarcoma

Retroperitoneal sarcomas occur in the retroperitoneum (the area in the back of the tummy).

Rhabdomyosarcoma

Rhabdomyosarcoma develops in the skeletal or voluntary muscles of the body.

Solitary fibrous tumour

Solitary fibrous tumour can occur anywhere throughout the body.

Spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma

Spindle cell rhabdomyosarcoma develops from the cells in skeletal muscle.

Spindle cell sarcoma

Spindle cell sarcoma is a type of undifferentiated sarcoma. It can occur anywhere throughout the body, but it most commonly occurs in the arms and legs.

Synovial sarcoma

Synovial sarcoma usually develops in cells around joints and tendons.

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, also known as “UPS”, is one of the most common types of sarcoma.

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