Sarcoma Symptoms

January 22, 2026

This page was reviewed under our medical and editorial policy by Lee Cranmer, M.D., Ph.D., professor, Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research, City of Hope^® Cancer Center Duarte.

Sarcoma is a type of cancer that starts in the bones or soft tissues, such as muscles, fat, bone or blood vessels.

Since sarcomas may affect any part of the body, their symptoms may vary. In the early stages, people might not notice any signs at all. This may make it difficult to identify the disease until it is more advanced.

Sarcomas are most commonly identified by practitioners who are not specialists in sarcoma management. This may occur because of a patient being evaluated for a specific new symptom, such as a growth or mass, or new and persistent pain in some part of the body. Other times, a sarcoma may be identified incidentally during other medical treatment. This might happen, for example, during a visit to the emergency room, in which an imaging study, such as an X-ray, shows an abnormality.

Sarcoma Warning Signs

With more than 100 subtypes, sarcomas may appear almost anywhere in the body, and the symptoms vary widely. Soft tissue sarcomas often show up in the arms or legs, but they may also develop in the abdomen, chest, or head and neck area.

Symptoms may range from a painless lump to issues caused by the tumor pressing on nearby organs or tissues. Bone sarcomas might cause pain or swelling in the affected bone, or even a fracture (break) of the affected bone.

Some of the most common symptoms of sarcomas include:

• A new lump or a lump that is getting larger
• Abdominal pain that worsens over time or a feeling of fullness in the belly
• Unexplained bleeding from the stomach or bowels (for example, blood in stool or vomit or black, tarry stools)
• Stiffness, pain, swelling or tenderness of the bone or nearby area
• Blockage or pressure symptoms, like frequent urination, constipation or trouble breathing
• Abnormal bleeding or discharge from the vagina

Symptoms of more specific types of sarcomas, like Kaposi sarcoma, might look different. For instance, Kaposi sarcoma often causes purplish, red or brown skin lesions that may appear flat or raised.

While these symptoms do not always mean cancer, it is important to discuss them with a doctor. Early attention to unusual changes in a person’s health may lead to quicker diagnosis and treatment, whatever the cause.

What Does a Sarcoma Lump Look Like?

A sarcoma lump may vary in appearance depending on its location and the type of tissue it affects. Some lumps are soft, while others feel firm or hard to the touch. Sarcoma lumps may frequently be described as having the consistency of hard rubber, but not all of them behave similarly. Sarcomas may grow near the skin’s surface, making them easier to see or feel, or they may form deep inside the body, where they might go unnoticed until they grow larger or cause symptoms.

When a sarcoma grows under the skin, it often appears as a lump on an arm or leg. These lumps may start small, but they tend to grow steadily over weeks or months. They might not cause any pain at first, but some may become uncomfortable or tender, especially as they press on nearby nerves or tissues.

Some sarcoma lumps may change the color of the skin above them, appearing reddish, purplish or darker than other areas. This is more common with certain types of sarcoma, like Kaposi’s sarcoma, which often causes color changes a person may see.

Since these lumps do not always hurt, they might be mistaken for harmless growths or dismissed as nothing serious. However, a lump that grows steadily, feels unusual or is accompanied by other symptoms, like pain or changes in the body’s normal function, should be checked by a doctor.

Even without noticeable pain, a growing or unusual lump should be evaluated by a health care provider.