Pathology of Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Sarcomas are malignant tumors of connective or other non-epithelial tissue. Sarcomas are divided into two main groups, bone sarcomas and soft tissue sarcomas. They are further subclassified based on the type of presumed cell of origin found in the tumor. Human sarcomas are quite rare, the annual incidence being less than 1% of all malignant tumors. The etiology of most sarcomas is unknown. In rare cases sarcomas can be caused by chemical carcinogens, radiation, viral infections and genetic suceptibility. The diagnosis of most sarcomas can be made preoperatively by an adequate core needle biopsy. All sarcomas should be graded on biopsies to help with the management of these tumors. Immunohistochemical stains and molecular studies for genetic alterations can help in the specific diagnosis of the type of sarcoma in biopsy specimens.