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Understanding Sarcoma

Signs And Symptoms Of Sarcoma

Last updated and reviewed on May 27, 2026.

Sarcoma does not always cause symptoms right away. Because sarcomas can grow in areas deep inside the body, like the belly, behind the stomach, or inside a limb, they sometimes get quite large before a person notices them. Knowing what to watch for can help you catch sarcoma earlier, when it is often easier to treat.

What are the signs and symptoms of sarcoma?

  • A lump or swelling you can feel. The most common sign of a soft tissue sarcoma is a painless lump under the skin or deeper in the body. Many people notice a bump that slowly gets bigger over time. The lump may feel firm or rubbery. In the early stages, it often does not hurt, which is one reason people sometimes wait before seeing a doctor. Any lump larger than a golf ball, or any lump that grows over time, should be checked by a doctor even if it does not hurt.

  • As a sarcoma grows, it can press on nearby nerves, muscles, or organs, causing pain. Pain in the arms, legs, back, or belly that does not go away, especially if there is no clear injury to explain it, should be evaluated by a doctor.

  • Bone pain or tenderness. Bone sarcomas like osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma often cause deep, aching pain in the affected bone. This pain may get worse at night or during activity. It is sometimes mistaken for growing pains in children and teenagers, which is why it is important to take persistent bone pain seriously.

  • Swelling around a bone. A bone sarcoma may also cause swelling or a visible bump near the tumor, often around the knee, upper arm, or pelvis.

  • A broken bone from a small injury. When a sarcoma weakens a bone, the bone may break from a minor fall or even just normal movement. Doctors call this a pathological fracture. This can sometimes be the first sign that something is wrong with the bone.

  • Belly pain or bloating. Sarcomas in the abdomen or behind it (in the retroperitoneum) may cause a feeling of fullness, bloating, or vague belly pain. Sometimes people notice a large mass in their abdomen.

  • Feeling full quickly when eating. A large abdominal sarcoma can press on the stomach, making a person feel full after eating only a small amount.

  • Tiredness and unexplained weight loss. Like many cancers, sarcoma can cause general symptoms like feeling very tired (fatigue), losing weight without trying, or feeling unwell without a clear reason.

    • Symptoms that depend on where the sarcoma is

    The exact symptoms a person has depend a lot on where the sarcoma is located.

    • A sarcoma in the leg may cause limping or difficulty walking.

  • A sarcoma in the chest may cause shortness of breath or a persistent cough.

  • A GIST (a type of sarcoma in the stomach or intestines) may cause vomiting, black stools, or bleeding in the gut.

  • A uterine sarcoma may cause abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially after menopause.

    • When should you see a doctor?

    Second Opinions: Sarcoma is rare, and its symptoms are often similar to much more common problems like sports injuries, muscle strains, or cysts. This means the diagnosis is sometimes delayed. Studies show that patients with sarcoma may see several doctors before getting the correct diagnosis. If you feel that something is wrong and your symptoms are not improving with standard treatment, it is okay to ask for a second opinion or to ask for imaging, like an MRI, to get a better look.

    You should see a doctor if you notice:

    • A new lump anywhere on your body, especially one that is larger than 5 cm (about 2 inches, or roughly the size of a golf ball), growing, or deep under the skin

    • Persistent pain in a bone, limb, or the abdomen that has no clear cause

    • Swelling around a bone or joint that does not go away

    • A bone that breaks easily from a minor injury

  • Unexplained belly swelling, weight loss, or fatigue. Most lumps are not cancer many are harmless cysts or benign (non-cancerous) tumors. But a new, growing, or deep lump always deserves medical attention so the cause can be found.

    • What’s Next: The next page in this guide describes the Risk Factors for Sarcoma. If you would like to read another page in this guide, return to the Sarcoma 101 Guides page or choose another topic. 

     

    SOURCES: 

     

    Signs And Symptoms Of Sarcoma

    Last updated and reviewed on May 27, 2026.

    Sarcoma does not always cause symptoms right away. Because sarcomas can grow in areas deep inside the body, like the belly, behind the stomach, or inside a limb, they sometimes get quite large before a person notices them. Knowing what to watch for can help you catch sarcoma earlier, when it is often easier to treat.

    What are the signs and symptoms of sarcoma?

    • A lump or swelling you can feel. The most common sign of a soft tissue sarcoma is a painless lump under the skin or deeper in the body. Many people notice a bump that slowly gets bigger over time. The lump may feel firm or rubbery. In the early stages, it often does not hurt, which is one reason people sometimes wait before seeing a doctor. Any lump larger than a golf ball, or any lump that grows over time, should be checked by a doctor even if it does not hurt.

    • As a sarcoma grows, it can press on nearby nerves, muscles, or organs, causing pain. Pain in the arms, legs, back, or belly that does not go away, especially if there is no clear injury to explain it, should be evaluated by a doctor.

    • Bone pain or tenderness. Bone sarcomas like osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma often cause deep, aching pain in the affected bone. This pain may get worse at night or during activity. It is sometimes mistaken for growing pains in children and teenagers, which is why it is important to take persistent bone pain seriously.

    • Swelling around a bone. A bone sarcoma may also cause swelling or a visible bump near the tumor, often around the knee, upper arm, or pelvis.

    • A broken bone from a small injury. When a sarcoma weakens a bone, the bone may break from a minor fall or even just normal movement. Doctors call this a pathological fracture. This can sometimes be the first sign that something is wrong with the bone.

    • Belly pain or bloating. Sarcomas in the abdomen or behind it (in the retroperitoneum) may cause a feeling of fullness, bloating, or vague belly pain. Sometimes people notice a large mass in their abdomen.

    • Feeling full quickly when eating. A large abdominal sarcoma can press on the stomach, making a person feel full after eating only a small amount.

    • Tiredness and unexplained weight loss. Like many cancers, sarcoma can cause general symptoms like feeling very tired (fatigue), losing weight without trying, or feeling unwell without a clear reason.

    Symptoms that depend on where the sarcoma is

    The exact symptoms a person has depend a lot on where the sarcoma is located.

    • A sarcoma in the leg may cause limping or difficulty walking.

    • A sarcoma in the chest may cause shortness of breath or a persistent cough.

    • A GIST (a type of sarcoma in the stomach or intestines) may cause vomiting, black stools, or bleeding in the gut.

    • A uterine sarcoma may cause abnormal vaginal bleeding, especially after menopause.

    When should you see a doctor?

    Second Opinions: Sarcoma is rare, and its symptoms are often similar to much more common problems like sports injuries, muscle strains, or cysts. This means the diagnosis is sometimes delayed. Studies show that patients with sarcoma may see several doctors before getting the correct diagnosis. If you feel that something is wrong and your symptoms are not improving with standard treatment, it is okay to ask for a second opinion or to ask for imaging, like an MRI, to get a better look.

    You should see a doctor if you notice:

    • A new lump anywhere on your body, especially one that is larger than 5 cm (about 2 inches, or roughly the size of a golf ball), growing, or deep under the skin

    • Persistent pain in a bone, limb, or the abdomen that has no clear cause

    • Swelling around a bone or joint that does not go away

    • A bone that breaks easily from a minor injury

    • Unexplained belly swelling, weight loss, or fatigue. Most lumps are not cancer many are harmless cysts or benign (non-cancerous) tumors. But a new, growing, or deep lump always deserves medical attention so the cause can be found.

    What’s Next: The next page in this guide describes the Risk Factors for Sarcoma. If you would like to read another page in this guide, return to the Sarcoma 101 Guides page or choose another topic. 

     

    SOURCES: 

     

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