This information is about spindle cell sarcoma, a type of soft tissue cancer. It can also affect the bones. We have information about diagnosis, treatment, and support for living with cancer.
If you’re worried or need to talk to someone, call our Support Line team for free, expert advice.
What is spindle cell sarcoma?
Spindle cell sarcoma is a rare type of soft tissue cancer that can happen anywhere in the body, but it is most common in the arms and legs. It can also happen in the bones.
It is diagnosed based on how it looks under a microscope. The cells are long and narrow, which is why it’s called ‘spindle cell’.
Who gets spindle cell sarcoma?
Spindle cell sarcoma can happen at any age but more commonly affects middle-aged and older people.
There are around 173 cases of spindle cell sarcoma diagnosed every year in England.
For more information on statistics, you can visit our soft tissue sarcoma data hub.
What causes spindle cell sarcoma?
We do not know exactly what causes spindle cell sarcoma. However, research shows previous radiotherapy may cause some spindle cell sarcomas.
Researchers are still trying to learn more about the causes of this cancer.
Symptoms of spindle cell sarcoma
Symptoms depend on the size and location of your tumour.
You may have all, some, or none of the following symptoms before you are diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma:
- A lump or swelling in the soft tissue of the body.
- This lump is often fast-growing and painful.
- Changes to the colour of your skin.
Diagnosing spindle cell sarcoma
A specialist doctor will diagnose spindle cell sarcoma using several tests. These usually include:
- a physical examination to look at and feel the lump
- a scan to take pictures of the inside of the body
- a biopsy to remove and test a small sample of the tumour tissue.
Your doctor will examine the biopsy under a microscope to see what the cells look like. If the cells are spindle-shaped and other types of sarcoma are excluded, then doctors will diagnose spindle cell sarcoma.
We have more information about the types of scans and tests you might have.
Treating spindle cell sarcoma
Surgery
The main treatment method for spindle cell sarcoma is surgery. The surgeon will remove the tumour and will aim to take out an area of healthy tissue surrounding the tumour too. This is known as taking a clear margin. This aims to reduce the risk of sarcoma coming back.
If you have cancer in your arms and legs, your surgeon will aim to do limb-sparing surgery so that the limb can continue to work well.
Although very rare, if the cancer has spread throughout the limb, then your surgeon may have to partly or fully amputate the limb to stop the cancer. Your surgeon will explain everything to you.
Radiotherapy
This treatment uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells. It can be used either before or after surgery.
- When used before surgery, radiotherapy aims to make the tumour smaller so that it can be more easily removed.
- When used after surgery, radiotherapy aims to kill off any remaining cancer cells that surgery could not remove.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses anti-cancer drugs to destroy cancer cells. It is sometimes used for people who have a high risk of spindle cell sarcoma coming back, or if the cancer has spread (metastasis).
Targeted therapies and immunotherapies
Research has found that some targeted therapies and immunotherapies worked well in clinical trials. Researchers need to do more studies before doctors can use these treatments for spindle cell sarcoma.
- Targeted therapy is a treatment that targets specific characteristics within cancer cells to stop them from growing and spreading.
- Immunotherapy is a treatment that helps the person’s own immune system to fight and kill cancer cells.
Your doctor or nurse can give you information about upcoming clinical trials with targeted therapy or immunotherapy.
You can also search for clinical trials on our clinical trials hub.
After treatment
Follow-up
After treatment, you will have regular follow-up appointments for several years. You should receive a follow-up schedule from your sarcoma clinical nurse specialist.
Follow-up will usually include:
- a chance to discuss symptoms
- examinations to look for any signs of spindle cell sarcoma returning
- scans such as CT, MRI, PET scans, or chest X-rays to check for secondary cancer.
Recurrence
Spindle cell sarcoma can reappear in the same area after the treatment of a previous tumour. This is called a local recurrence.
Tumours can also reappear in other parts of the body. This is called metastasis or secondary cancer. Secondary tumours might appear in the lungs, which is why you will have scans and chest X-rays during follow-up care.
If the cancer does reappear, it is important to get treated as quickly as possible. It is useful to check for recurrences yourself through self-examination. Your doctor or sarcoma clinical nurse specialist can tell you what to look for.
If you are worried about your cancer returning, contact your doctor or nurse. They may decide to bring forward your follow-up appointment to check your symptoms.
Living with spindle cell sarcoma
Living with spindle cell sarcoma can be hard. We have support to help you with your mental health, physical health, and information about financial support. No matter what you’re worried about, we’re here to support you.
If you have any more questions about spindle cell sarcoma, or if you need to talk to someone, our Support Line team are here for you.
More support
Call the Support Line
The Sarcoma UK Support Line is here for every person affected by sarcoma. Get in touch for friendly, expert, confidential and free advice on anything to do with sarcoma.
Join a support group
There are a number of sarcoma support groups across the UK. We have more information about support groups available online and in your local area.
Bone Cancer Research Trust
Spindle cell sarcoma can happen in the bone too. BCRT have more information and support on this.
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Last reviewed August 2026 | Next review due August 2029
All references are available upon request. Please email info@sarcoma.org.uk
