Cancer vs. Sarcoma---- what's the difference?

It's like a high school Logic problem. All sarcomas are cancers but not all Cancers are sarcomas. I found a lovely explanation:

A sarcoma is a rare kind of cancer. Sarcomas are different from the much more common carcinomas because they happen in a different kind of tissue. Sarcomas grow in connective tissue -- cells that connect or support other kinds of tissue in your body. These tumors are most common in the bones, muscles, tendons, cartilage, nerves, fat, and blood vessels of your arms and legs, but they can happen anywhere.

Although there are more than 50 types of sarcoma, they can be grouped into two main kinds: soft tissue sarcoma and bone sarcoma, or osteosarcoma. About 1 out of 100 cases of adult cancers is soft tissue sarcoma. Osteosarcomas are even rarer.

Sarcomas can be treated, often by having surgery to remove the tumor.

Because sarcomas (like my Leiomyosarcoma)are rare, it's harder to be diagnosed. Generally, a patient has surgery, the tumor is sent to a pathology lab, where it is examined. When Sarcoma is diagnosed, it is reviewed a second and possibly third time. The patient isn't told unless the physician team is certain. No false positives here, because of the extensive review.


WebMD is a good source of all medical information. It is reviewed by physicians. Much of what I write is my experience, hope and strength. Their articles are about experience, research and education.