Sarcoma is a cancer that starts in the body's connective tissues. These include fat, muscle, blood vessels, nerves, deep skin tissue, cartilage, and bone. Sarcomas can start almost anywhere in the body. There are two main groups. Soft tissue sarcomas start in soft tissues like fat or muscle. Bone sarcomas start in bone. GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumor) is a type that starts in the wall of the stomach or bowel.

When should I call my care team?

Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, or chills; Redness, warmth, opening, or fluid leaking from your surgery wound; New or worse pain, or a new lump; Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing up blood; Swelling or pain in one leg or arm; Blood in your urine, confusion, or feeling very sleepy during ifosfamide treatment; Black, tarry, or bloody stools, or vomiting blood (important with GIST); Severe belly pain or swelling; Not able to eat or drink, or keep fluids down, for a day; Sudden weakness or numbness in the legs, or loss of bladder or bowel control; If it feels very bad, call 911.

What chemotherapy plans are used for sarcoma?

Common treatment plans include AIM, VAC/IE. Your care team picks the plan that fits your cancer and your health.

Sarcoma

Sarcomas are rare, and care at a center with sarcoma experts gives you the best chance of good results.

Hi, I'm Rosa. Today we'll go through sarcoma together, one step at a time. I'll keep it simple, and you can pause me, go back, or skip ahead whenever you like. Just so you know, this is for learning only. It is not medical advice, so please check everything with your own doctor and care team. Okay, let's get started.

What sarcoma is

Let's start with the basics. Sarcoma is a cancer of the body's connective tissues. These include fat, muscle, nerves, blood vessels, cartilage, and bone. Sarcomas can start almost anywhere. There are two main groups. Soft tissue sarcomas start in tissues like fat or muscle. Bone sarcomas start in bone. Sarcomas are rare, and there are many kinds. That is why it is best to be seen at a sarcoma center. An expert team can plan the best treatment for you.

The main types

Now let's talk briefly about the types. Soft tissue sarcoma often shows up as a painless lump that grows. Liposarcoma starts in fat cells. Leiomyosarcoma starts in smooth muscle. Synovial sarcoma often affects the arms or legs of younger adults. Gastrointestinal stromal tumor starts in the wall of the stomach or bowel. Osteosarcoma is the most common bone cancer. Ewing sarcoma is most common in children and young adults. Chondrosarcoma is a cancer of cartilage. Your care team will tell you which type you have.

Tests you may have

Now let's talk about tests. An MRI scan is best for a lump in an arm or leg. It should be done before any biopsy. A CT scan of the chest checks the lungs. Other scans can show if the cancer has spread. A needle biopsy takes small pieces of the tumor. Your sarcoma team should plan it. An expert should look at the tissue to confirm the exact type. Gene tests can help confirm the type too. You can read more about each test in the guide.

Grade and stage

Next up, let's talk about grade and stage. The grade tells how fast the sarcoma is likely to grow. Low grade grows slowly. High grade grows faster. The stage combines the grade with the size of the tumor. It also shows if the cancer has spread. Sarcoma uses stages one to four. Tumors in the stomach or bowel wall use a risk level instead. Doctors use these to plan your treatment. It helps your whole team speak the same language. Ask your care team to explain yours.

Tumor markers and gene tests

Before we move to treatment, there are some things to know. Many sarcomas have their own gene changes. These help doctors name the exact type. For some types, a gene change also points to a treatment. There are different markers. Each one has a different role for different sarcomas. Some inherited gene changes can matter for your family too. Your doctor will tell you which ones you have and what they mean. You can read more in the guide. The Questions to ask page can help too.

Main treatments

Now let's talk about treatment. Surgery is the main treatment for most sarcomas that have not spread. The surgeon removes the tumor with a rim of healthy tissue. Most people with sarcoma in an arm or leg can keep the limb. Radiation is often given before or after surgery. Chemotherapy is key for some types, like bone sarcomas. Targeted pills block signals the cancer needs to grow. Some slow tumors can be watched first. Rehab helps you regain strength after surgery. Clinical trials are research studies that may offer new options. Ask your care team if one is right for you.

Side effects and what helps

Let's talk about side effects. Feeling very tired is common. Short walks can help. After radiation, a wound may heal more slowly. Keep it clean and follow your care instructions. A limb may feel stiff or swollen. Stretching and physical therapy help. Chemotherapy can lower your white blood cells. Call right away if you have a fever. Anti-nausea medicines work well. Hair loss can happen, but hair usually grows back. We have a whole side effects guide on this site.

Living well after treatment

Last, let's talk about living well. You will have regular checkups and scans, often for many years. Rehab is a big part of recovery. Ask your team what long term checks you need. If you may want children, ask about it before treatment. Sarcoma is rare, so it can feel lonely. Support groups can connect you with others. Call your care team right away for a fever or chills. Call for redness or fluid from your surgery wound. Call for sudden shortness of breath or chest pain. If it feels very bad, call 911. You can also visit our new Screening, prevention and survivorship section.

You did great today. Sarcoma can feel like a lot to learn, and you took it one step at a time. Bring your questions to your next visit. Call your care team any time. You are not alone in this.

Call your care team right away if you have

Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, or chills
Redness, warmth, opening, or fluid leaking from your surgery wound
New or worse pain, or a new lump
Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing up blood
Swelling or pain in one leg or arm
Blood in your urine, confusion, or feeling very sleepy during ifosfamide treatment
Black, tarry, or bloody stools, or vomiting blood (important with GIST)
Severe belly pain or swelling
Not able to eat or drink, or keep fluids down, for a day
Sudden weakness or numbness in the legs, or loss of bladder or bowel control
If it feels very bad, call 911.

Treatment plans (regimens)

Medicines often used

Side effects: what helps

Sources

Quick answers

What is sarcoma?: Sarcoma is a cancer that starts in the body's connective tissues. These include fat, muscle, blood vessels, nerves, deep skin tissue, cartilage, and bone. Sarcomas can start almost anywhere in the body. There are two main groups. Soft tissue sarcomas start in soft tissues like fat or muscle. Bone sarcomas start in bone. GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumor) is a type that starts in the wall of the stomach or bowel.
When should I call my care team?: Fever of 100.4 F (38 C) or higher, or chills; Redness, warmth, opening, or fluid leaking from your surgery wound; New or worse pain, or a new lump; Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing up blood; Swelling or pain in one leg or arm; Blood in your urine, confusion, or feeling very sleepy during ifosfamide treatment; Black, tarry, or bloody stools, or vomiting blood (important with GIST); Severe belly pain or swelling; Not able to eat or drink, or keep fluids down, for a day; Sudden weakness or numbness in the legs, or loss of bladder or bowel control; If it feels very bad, call 911.
What chemotherapy plans are used for sarcoma?: Common treatment plans include AIM, VAC/IE. Your care team picks the plan that fits your cancer and your health.

Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.