Sarcoma

Sarcoma
Other namesSarcomas, sarcomata
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) image of a sarcoma
SpecialtyOncology

A sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that arises from cells of mesenchymal origin.[1][2] Originating from mesenchymal cells means that sarcomas are cancers of connective tissues such as bone, cartilage, muscle, fat, or vascular tissues.[2][3]

Sarcomas are one of five different types of cancer, classified by the cell type from which they originate.[4] While there are five types under this category, sarcomas are most frequently contrasted with carcinomas which are much more common. Sarcomas are quite rare, making up about 1% of all adult cancer diagnoses and 15% of childhood cancer diagnoses.[5]

There are many subtypes of sarcoma, which are classified based on the specific tissue and type of cell from which the tumor originates.[6] Common examples of sarcoma include liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, and osteosarcoma. Sarcomas are primary connective tissue tumors, meaning that they arise in connective tissues.[2] This is in contrast to secondary (or "metastatic") connective tissue tumors, which occur when a cancer from elsewhere in the body (such as the lungs, breast tissue or prostate) spreads to the connective tissue.[7]

The word sarcoma is derived from the Greek σάρκωμα sarkōma 'fleshy excrescence or substance', itself from σάρξ sarx meaning 'flesh'.[8][9][10]

  1. ^ Yang J, Ren Z, Du X, Hao M, Zhou W (27 October 2014). "The role of mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells in sarcoma: update and dispute". Stem Cell Investigation. 1: 18. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2306-9759.2014.10.01. PMC 4923508. PMID 27358864.
  2. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Defining Cancer". National Cancer Institute. 17 September 2007. Retrieved 10 June 2014.
  5. ^ "Sarcoma: What it Is, Symptoms & Treatment". Cleveland Clinic. Archived from the original on 20 March 2025. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "Metastatic Cancer". National Cancer Institute. 12 May 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  8. ^ σάρκωμα, σάρξ. Liddell, Henry George; Scott, Robert; A Greek–English Lexicon at the Perseus Project.
  9. ^ "Definition of SARCOMA". www.merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  10. ^ Harper D. "sarcoma". Online Etymology Dictionary.
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