Risks for soft tissue sarcoma
Some things can affect your risk, or chance, of developing cancer. Certain behaviours, substances or conditions can increase or decrease the risk. Most cancers are the result of many risks. But sometimes cancer develops in people who don’t have any risks.
Soft tissue sarcoma can develop at any age, but it occurs most often in people older than 50 years of age. Exposure to radiation is the main risk for soft tissue sarcoma.
Most of these risks can’t be changed. But in some cases, there are things you can do to lower your risk.
The following can increase your risk for soft tissue sarcoma:
Contact with vinyl chloride at work
Exposure to radiation
People who have had radiation therapy as treatment for the following have a higher risk of developing soft tissue sarcoma:
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- a head or neck cancer
- breast cancer
- cancer in childhood
This risk is usually outweighed by the benefit of treating the original cancer. If soft tissue sarcoma develops, it usually occurs within 10 years of the radiation exposure.
Genetic conditions
A genetic condition is a disease caused by a change (mutation) in one or more genes. If you have a genetic condition that increases your risk for soft tissue sarcoma, you may need to visit your doctor more often. Talk to your doctor about your risk and if you need to have certain tests to check for soft tissue sarcoma.
Having any of these
Retinoblastoma is a rare eye cancer that occurs in children. The genetic version of retinoblastoma is called familial retinoblastoma. People who have familial retinoblastoma as children have a higher risk of developing soft tissue sarcoma.
Neurofibromatosis type 1 is a condition that affects the nervous system. It affects the development and growth of neurons (nerve cells), causes tumours (neurofibromas) to grow on nerves, and may produce other abnormalities in muscles, bones and skin. Sometimes cancerous tumours called malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours may grow along the nerves.
Neurofibromatosis type 1 increases the risk of soft tissue sarcoma, neuroendocrine tumours, brain tumours, leukemia and neuroblastoma.
Li-Fraumeni syndrome is a condition that is associated with an increased risk of developing certain types of cancers, including soft tissue sarcoma, breast cancer, brain tumours, acute leukemia, bone cancer, and adrenal cortical carcinoma.
People with Li-Fraumeni syndrome tend to develop several different types of cancer before the age of 45.
Werner syndrome is a condition that causes the body to age very rapidly after puberty. Werner syndrome increases the risk for soft tissue sarcoma, melanoma, bone cancer and thyroid cancer.
Contact with vinyl chloride at work
Vinyl chloride is used in the plastics industry to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is used in many products. Coming into contact with vinyl chloride at work increases the risk of developing a type of soft tissue sarcoma called angiosarcoma of the liver.
Following health and safety guidelines can help you lower your contact with vinyl chloride and reduce your risk of soft tissue sarcoma.
Contact with thorium dioxide (Thorotrast)
Thorium dioxide (Thorotrast) is a radioactive contrast medium that was once used for imaging tests. People who were given Thorotrast have a greater risk of developing a type of soft tissue sarcoma called angiosarcoma of the liver. Because it was found to increase the risk for some cancers, Thorotrast is no longer used.
Chronic lymphedema
Lymphedema is swelling that happens when lymph fluid can’t flow normally and builds up in the soft tissues of a limb. Long-term, or chronic, lymphedema can increase the risk for a type of soft tissue sarcoma called angiosarcoma.
Certain infections
Infections with the following viruses increase the risk of developing Kaposi sarcoma, a type of soft tissue sarcoma.
Kaposi sarcoma herpes virus (KSHV) is a type of herpes virus. KSHV is also called Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8).
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV weakens the body’s immune system.
Weak immune system
Having a weak immune system (immunosuppression) increases your risk for Kaposi sarcoma, a type of soft tissue sarcoma. You may have a weak immune system for different reasons. This includes if you have had an organ transplant and must take medicines to suppress your immune system.
Possible risks
The following have been linked with soft tissue sarcoma, but more research is needed to know for sure that they are risks:
- previous chemotherapy treatment
- a personal history of cancer
- coming into contact with dioxin at work
No link to soft tissue sarcoma
Significant evidence shows no link between soft tissue sarcoma and injury to soft tissue.
Understanding your cancer risk
To make the decisions that are right for you, ask your doctor questions about risks. Learn how cancer can be prevented and what you can do to reduce your risk.
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