Types of Soft Tissue Sarcoma

The Stanford Sarcoma Program team has expertise in all soft tissue sarcoma subtypes. The most common soft tissue sarcomas are leiomyocarcoma and liposarcomas. Other types of soft tissue sarcomas are listed below.

Common soft tissue sarcomas

Leiomyosarcoma
These cancer cells look like smooth muscle cells. They are often found in the abdomen and uterus, but are also found in the leg and arm muscles.

Liposarcoma
These cancer cells look like fat cells. Although they can be found anywhere in the body, they usually start in the abdomen or thighs.

Angiosarcoma
This is a rare form of soft tissue sarcoma that arises from blood vessels or lymph vessels.

Synovial sarcoma
This is cancer of the synovial tissue. Synovial tissue surrounds joints, and includes tendons and bursae. Bursae are the fluid-filled, cushioning sacs found between tendons, ligaments, and bones.

Rhabdomyosarcoma
These are cancers that arise from skeletal muscle. Rhabdomyosarcomas most frequently occur in the arms and legs, but can also originate in other areas. This cancer is more common in children than adults.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor
This cancer is also known as neurofibrosarcoma or malignant schwannoma. It is cancer of the cells that wrap around nerves. This tumor is rare but may be seen in people with other genetic problems, such as neurofibromatosis.This cancer is also known as neurofibrosarcoma or malignant schwannoma. It is cancer of the cells that wrap around nerves. This tumor is rare but may be seen in people with other genetic problems, such as neurofibromatosis.

Spindle cell sarcoma
These cancers look like the fibrous tissue of tendons and ligaments. They are usually found in the leg, arm, or the torso (the area between the shoulders and hips). 

Ewing's sarcoma
This cancer is closely related to another kind of tumor known as a small blue cell tumor or a peripheral neuroectodermal tumor. Ewing's sarcoma is a tumor of young cells. It can start in almost any tissue of the body, including soft tissue and bone. This type of tumor is more common in children. Learn more about Ewing's sarcoma.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST)
These can occur anywhere along the length of the digestive tract. Learn more about GIST.