Soft tissue sarcoma is a type of cancer that originates in the body’s soft tissues, such as fat, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and tendons. It can appear in any part of the body, and can vary greatly in size, from small tumors to large masses.
The rate at which soft tissue sarcoma spreads will depend on the type of sarcoma and where it is located. Generally, the tumor will start to spread locally, meaning that it will invade nearby tissues and organs. As the tumor grows larger, it may spread to lymph nodes or other organs in the body. This process can take anywhere from weeks to months to occur.
In general, the larger the tumor, the faster it can spread. Tumors that are higher grade, or more aggressive, may spread faster than those that are low grade or less aggressive.
In addition, the spread of the cancer can be affected by whether or not it has been treated. Treatment may slow the tumor’s growth and reduce the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body.
Soft tissue sarcoma is a serious and potentially life-threatening cancer, but if it is caught early, treatment may be successful in preventing or slowing the spread of the tumor. It is important to speak with your doctor if you have any symptoms that could be related to soft tissue sarcoma, such as a lump or mass that has grown over time.