Sarcoma can occur in fibrous tissues, fat, muscles, nerves, deep skin tissues, and blood vessels. These usually start in the legs and arms and can be found in the head or neck area, trunk, abdominal cavity, and internal organs. While there are more than 50 types of sarcoma, they are categorized into two main categories: bone sarcoma or osteosarcoma and soft tissue sarcoma.

While there is no cure, knowing the signs and symptoms of sarcoma can help you diagnose it in time and get the necessary treatment. To help you, here are five common signs and symptoms of sarcoma.

1. Lumps
Usually, signs and symptoms of sarcoma are painless swellings or lumps, which makes early detection impossible. Most lumps are painless; however, as they grow in size, they might press against a muscle or a nerve and cause pain. This can lead to difficulty in movement or breathing.

2. Stomach pains
Sometimes, in the uterus, there can be benign tumors called fibroids, and these can often outnumber sarcomas. However, no matter where they may be located, you should inform your doctor about any lumps that are more than 2 inches in size. Especially if they feel larger in size over time or are becoming painful. People with sarcoma originating in the abdomen may not show any symptoms at all. On the other hand, people with this condition also experience a sense of feeling full or pain in the stomach.

3. Uterine bleeding
When sarcomas start to form inside the uterus, it can lead to uterine bleeding or cause the uterus to expand in size.

4. Chest pains
Sarcomas that start developing in the lungs or the heart can cause chest pain and respiratory problems.

5. Difficulty in movement
Soft tissue sarcoma can also lead to limited mobility. For instance, tumors developing in the knees, hips, hands, or shoulders can restrict free movements.

Since sarcoma can develop in flexible, elastic tissues or deep spaces in the body, the tumor can often push or press against normal tissue out of its way as it grows. Therefore, as it increases in size, one may start exhibiting symptoms. Eventually, as the tumor starts pressing against nerves and muscles, one will experience pain in the affected area.

Note that the signs and symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma are hard to identify since they happen anywhere in the body. Usually, they develop as painless lumps, but when these increase in size, they exert pressure on muscles or nerves, causing difficulty in breathing or moving. There is no test to detect the presence of these lumps unless you see the symptoms.

Now that you know the signs and symptoms of sarcoma ensure that you undergo an annual full-body check-up and scans to detect it at the earliest.