Symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma

Soft tissue sarcoma may not cause any signs or symptoms in its early stages. Signs and symptoms often appear as the tumour grows and presses on nerves, muscles or other parts of the body. Other health conditions can cause the same symptoms as soft tissue sarcoma.

The signs or symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma can vary depending on where the tumour starts in the body.

When soft tissue sarcoma starts in an arm, a leg, the trunk of the body or the head and neck area, the most common signs and symptoms are:

• a lump or swelling
• tenderness or pain

When soft tissue sarcoma starts in the abdomen, it may cause:

• a feeling of fullness
• pain in the abdomen or back

When soft tissue sarcoma starts in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, it may cause:

• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhea
• constipation
• blood in the stool
• pain in the abdomen

Other signs and symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma include:

• abnormal vaginal bleeding
• pain in the pelvis
• difficulty breathing
• lymphedema
• abnormal bumps or patches on the skin