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Sarcomas

A sarcoma is a malignant tumour that arises from the bone cells (bone sarcoma) and soft tissues (soft tissue sarcoma) that form the supporting structures of the body, such as muscle tissue. These tumours are rare.

Bone sarcoma

There are two common types of bone sarcoma – Osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma. Osteosarcoma is more common than Ewing’s sarcoma and typically develops in fast-growing long bones, such as those in the legs and arms.

Ewing’s sarcoma is less common and although it can develop in long bones, it typically develops in short bones, such as pelvis and shin bone. Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy may all be used to treat this type of cancer, though in the past amputation of an affected limb was the main treatment.

Soft tissue sarcoma

This type of sarcoma occurs in the soft supporting structures of the body such as ligaments, muscle, and tendons and can spread to other parts of the body. Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma found in children and young people.


	Surgery is usually used to treat this type of cancer. The surgery may also be followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.