A sarcoma is a rare and complex cancer that begins in the bone, cartilage or connective tissue such as muscle, fat, nerves, tendons, lining of joints, lymph vessels or blood vessels.

Sarcoma occurs when abnormal cells in these types of tissue grow in an uncontrolled way. It can develop in any part of the body.

There are two main types of sarcomas, depending on which type of tissue the sarcoma starts in:

• Soft tissue sarcoma – Cancer that develops in the connective tissues that connect and support the body including muscle, fat, nerves, tendons, lining of joints, lymph vessels or blood vessels
• Bone sarcoma – Cancer that begins in the bone and cartilage