Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that impacts various types of connective tissue. It is divided into two main groups: bone sarcoma and tissue sarcoma. Regardless of the type, they share similar characteristics and symptoms. Therefore, the best defense against this condition is to know about it as much as possible. In this article, we will talk about the common types of sarcoma.

Soft tissue sarcoma

1. Angiosarcoma
This type of soft tissue sarcoma develops in the cells that make up the lymph or blood vessels. It usually occurs in the breast, liver, skin, or deep tissues.

2. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor
This is a rare type of soft tissue sarcoma that develops in the connective tissues, such as bones, muscles, blood vessels, and fibrous tissues.

3. Liposarcoma
It can develop anywhere from the fat cells found in the body.

4. Leiomyosarcoma
It   occurs in the involuntary muscles, also known as smooth muscle cells, causing the organs to shrivel.

5. Synovial sarcoma
This tumor develops around the tendons and joints. While it can occur anywhere in the body, it is usually found in the knees.

6. Kaposi sarcoma
This type of sarcoma cancer affects the mouth, skin, and sometimes even the internal organs. It is caused due to human herpesvirus 8.

7. Fibrosarcomas
It affects fibroblasts, the fibrous tissues in the body. It is most commonly found in the skin and limbs.

8. Neurofibrosarcoma
It is also known as malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor and develops in cells that line the nerves. It occurs in adults and can happen anywhere in the body.

9. Rhabdomyosarcoma
This type of cancer develops in the voluntary muscles or the skeletal muscles commonly found in the neck and head. However, it can also evolve in the abdomen.

Bone sarcoma

1. Osteosarcoma
As the name suggests, this type of cancer occurs in the bones. It is mostly diagnosed in young adults and teenagers. It is common for it to evolve in the thigh bone, upper arm, knee, and shin bone.

2. Ewing sarcoma
This one is a common bone sarcoma. It usually affects   young adults and teenagers, their pelvic and shin bone is the most commonly affected area.

3. Chondrosarcoma
This type of bone sarcoma grows in the cartilage . The common sites are the upper arm, pelvis, and thigh bone.

4. Giant cell tumor of bone
Also known as GCT, they are benign and non-cancerous tumors that evolve in the bones. They usually grow in the long bones in the legs and arms.

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to prevent sarcoma because doctors don’t know what causes it. However, now that the most common types of sarcoma are known, it is advisable to keep an eye out for a lump that is more than two inches in size is getting bigger or painful.