Key takeaways

  • Soft tissue sarcoma frequently spreads, with the lungs being the most common site for metastasis, though it can also affect other areas like the liver, bones, peritoneum, lymph nodes, and brain.
  • Several factors can increase the risk of STS metastasis, including the specific type of sarcoma, a higher tumor grade, and a larger tumor size.
  • While metastatic soft tissue sarcoma is rarely curable, treatment focuses on slowing its progression and managing symptoms. Your prognosis will likely be influenced by factors such as the type of STS, the extent of metastasis, and your overall health.

Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is a type of cancer that affects the body’s soft tissues. This can include muscles, connective tissue, fat, lymph vessels, and blood vessels, among other soft tissues.

STS can start anywhere in the body, such as the limbs, torso, head, or neck. But as STS advances, it may spread to more distant organs and tissues. This is called metastasis, and sometimes referred to as stage 4 cancer.

Cancer can spread when cancer cells enter your blood or lymph vessels. They can then use the circulatory or lymphatic system, respectively, to travel to distant areas of your body.

Metastasis isn’t uncommon in STS.

Researchers estimate that 40% to 50% of people with STS develop metastatic disease at some point. And, around 10% to 30% of people already have metastasis when they receive a sarcoma diagnosis.

Keep reading to learn more about the STS, including where it can spread, potential risk factors, treatments, and the outlook.

The lungs are the most common site for STS metastasis, according to Cancer Research UK. Lung metastases account for up to 80% of first metastatic sites in people with STS.

Specific symptoms of lung metastasis may include:

After the lungs, other metastatic sites are reported less commonly.

Liver

The liver has many vital functions in the body, including, but not limited to, making bile (a yellow or greenish fluid) for digestion and breaking down medications and other substances.

In rare cases, STS may metastasize to the liver. Symptoms of liver metastasis may include:

Bones

STS may also spread to the bones, especially if the sarcoma affects the nearby lymph nodes. Bone metastasis may cause a variety of problems, such as:

Peritoneum

The peritoneum is the lining of your abdominal cavity. In some cases, metastatic STS may affect it, possibly leading to symptoms like:

Soft tissue

STS may also spread to other soft tissues. When this happens, you may notice a lump or bump on your body that gradually gets larger. It may or may not be tender or painful and can interfere with nearby tissues.

Lymph nodes

Your lymph nodes help to filter germs from your lymphatic system. Symptoms that STS may have spread to the lymph nodes include persistent lymph node swelling. Swollen lymph nodes may also be tender or painful.

It’s important to note that lymph nodes can also be swollen or tender for other reasons, such as infections or autoimmune diseases.

Brain

Metastatic STS in the brain may cause symptoms, such as:

Anyone with STS can develop metastasis. However, researchers have identified some factors that may increase your risk. These include:

  • the specific type of STS, because some types of STS are more aggressive than others
  • higher tumor grade, which means that cancer cells look more abnormal and are more likely to be aggressive
  • larger primary tumor size
  • a primary tumor that’s located deeper in your body
  • nearby lymph nodes that contain cancer cells

Healthcare professionals may use various physical and laboratory tests to assess for and stage STS, as well as determine whether the cancer has spread or your treatment plan is working.

A primary care doctor will begin by performing a physical examination of your limbs, abdomen, and neck, and will also ask you questions about your medical history and your symptoms.

They will likely also order blood tests to assess for signs of infection or disease, and an ultrasound test to get a better view of your organs and soft tissues.

A primary care doctor can refer you to a medical specialist, such as an oncologist, for further evaluation. They may order several tests to diagnose metastatic STS, such as:

Based on these results, your primary care doctor and oncologist may refer you to other medical specialists to help develop an appropriate management plan.

Find a medical specialist in your area today

Your healthcare team may comprise several people who can provide support.

Sometimes, a medical specialist will be required to help diagnose, manage, or treat a healthcare condition.

You can find the following medical specialists in your area today:

Treatment for metastatic STS aims to help slow down the progression of the cancer and manage symptoms. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), metastatic STS is rarely curable.

Several treatment options are available for people with STS metastasis. These may include:

  • Surgery: In some situations, surgery can still be done to remove metastatic STS. The outlook for people with metastatic STS that’s treated with surgery is best when the metastatic site is the lungs.
  • Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses medications that affect the division of cancer cells. Doxorubicin, often with ifosfamide, is a common first-line treatment for metastatic STS.
  • Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy uses high energy radiation to kill cancer cells. It may also be used in combination with chemotherapy.
  • Targeted therapy: Targeted therapy drugs target specific markers on or in cancer cells. An example of a targeted therapy drug that may be used for STS is pazopanib (Votrient).
  • Immunotherapy: Immunotherapy helps your immune system respond to cancer, but its effectiveness for STS is still being studied.

Remember, STS is a diverse group of cancers. Your treatment plan will depend on the type of STS you have and other individual factors, such as age and overall health.

Factors that can influence the outlook for people with metastatic STS include:

  • the type of STS
  • the location of the metastasis
  • how fast the STS is growing and spreading
  • how the STS responds to treatment
  • your age and overall health

Generally, the outlook for people with metastatic STS is unfavorable. A 2020 study of 212 people with metastatic STS found that the median overall survival time was 24 months.

According to the ACS, the 5-year survival rate for people with metastatic STS is 15%. The 5-year survival rate is the percentage of people with a certain type and stage of cancer who are alive 5 years after receiving a diagnosis.

It’s important to know that these statistics don’t account for individual differences or recent advances in treatment. If you’ve received a diagnosis of metastatic STS, speak with a healthcare professional about your specific outlook.

Soft tissue sarcomas can grow and spread rapidly, but the exact duration varies from person to person. Some sarcomas can spread in weeks, while others may take months.

STS isn’t common. The ACS estimates that about 13,910 people will receive a diagnosis of STS in the United States in 2026. STS makes up a higher proportion of cancers (8%) in children than in adults (less than 1%).

One of the main risk factors for STS is having certain inherited disorders, which can’t be changed. As such, there’s currently no known way to prevent STS from developing.

The lungs are the most common site for STS to spread to. Less often, it can spread to other areas such as the liver, bones, or peritoneum.

Factors such as STS type, higher tumor grade, and larger tumor size increase the risk of metastasis.

The outlook for people with metastatic STS is typically unfavorable, but every individual is different. A professional healthcare team can give you a better idea of your specific outlook.