Sarkomen

Sarkomen is the plural term used in several languages to refer to sarcomas, a heterogeneous group of cancers that arise from mesenchymal tissues such as fat, muscle, cartilage, bone, and connective tissue. The term is derived from Greek sarkōma, flesh. Sarkomen can occur in any part of the body but most commonly present in the limbs or trunk.

They are broadly divided into soft tissue sarcomas and bone sarcomas. Soft tissue sarcomas comprise more than a dozen recognized histologic subtypes, including liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, and undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. Bone sarcomas include osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing sarcoma. The biological behavior depends on histology, grade, size, and depth, with some subtypes being more aggressive and prone to metastasis, particularly to the lungs.

Diagnosis relies on imaging and tissue sampling. Magnetic resonance imaging is commonly used for soft tissue lesions, while computed tomography is often preferred for bone lesions. A biopsy provides histologic confirmation, and molecular testing can identify characteristic genetic alterations that inform classification and treatment planning.

Treatment is multidisciplinary. For localized disease, surgical resection with negative margins is the cornerstone of care, often followed by radiotherapy to reduce recurrence risk. Chemotherapy is used for selected histologies and high-grade tumors, and may be employed in metastatic disease. In some subtypes, targeted therapies or immunotherapies are available or under study, with clinical trials playing an important role in advancing care.

Sarkomen are relatively uncommon overall, with outcomes varying widely by site, stage, histology, and grade. Early diagnosis and access to specialized multidisciplinary teams improve prognosis.