Cancer More Cancer Types Symptoms of Fibrosarcoma By Shamard Charles, MD, MPH Shamard Charles, MD, MPH LinkedIn Twitter Dr. Shamard Charles is a physician-journalist reporting on health policy, public health initiatives, diversity in medicine, and new developments in health care research and medical treatments. Learn about our editorial process Published on November 15, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Douglas A. Nelson, MD Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD LinkedIn Douglas A. Nelson, MD, is a board-certified oncologist and hematologist who previously served for 13 years as a physician in the US Air Force. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Frequent Symptoms Rare Symptoms Who Is Most Affected by Fibrosarcoma? When to See a Healthcare Provider Fibrosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor that arises from fibroblast cells, which are the cells responsible for producing the fibrous tissue that connects muscle to bone. This type of cancer is most commonly found in middle-aged adults, and primarily occurs in the long bones of the thigh, upper arm bone, or jaw, although tumors can arise nearly anywhere in the body. Fibrosarcoma produces excess collagen in places that it shouldn’t throughout the body. Therefore symptoms are often nonspecific and can be felt anywhere in the body. This article will review the symptoms of fibrosarcoma and when to see a doctor. LaylaBird / Getty Images Frequent Symptoms Because fibrosarcomas are usually located deep within soft tissue, they can go undetected for a long period of time. Symptoms often don’t present until the tumor begins to compress nearby tissue or organs. Fibrosarcomas can affect all organ systems in various ways. Symptoms differ based on the age, type, and location of the tumor. Additionally, they may evolve based on the extent to which tumors invade local tissue or metastasize (spread to distant body sites). Fibrosarcoma symptoms may look different in adults and children. In both, a palpable, painless lump may be the first sign that appears, however childhood fibrosarcoma symptoms may include: A painless or tender mass in an extremity (arm or leg) or the torsoPain or soreness caused by a pinched nerve or compressed musclesLimping or other difficulty using legs, feet, arms, or hands, especially in older children Adult fibrosarcoma symptoms generally include: Swelling in various parts of the body (may be with or without pain), especially the limbsCoughDark stoolVomiting bloodIrregular bleeding from the vaginaPain in the abdomen Rare Symptoms Fibrosarcomas represent between 2% to 4% of primary bone tumors. They usually occur in deep tissues adjacent to bone, but on occasion, they develop in the medullary, or interior portion, of the bones. The distal femur—the area of the thigh bone just above the knee—is the most common site of fibrosarcoma of the bone. This type of fibrosarcoma can cause osteolytic or bone-destroying lesions that result in pain, swelling, and numbness, along with tingling in the arms and legs. Pain at the fibrosarcoma site without the presence of a lump is also common. Who Is Most Affected by Fibrosarcoma? Fibrosarcomas occur equally in men and women. There are few, if any, reported differences in the propagation of symptoms based on gender. Adult cases have been reported from the second to the seventh decades of life, although the majority of cases occur from ages 40 to 60. The tissues affected in childhood fibrosarcoma can differ from those in adult cases. Therefore, the two carry different symptoms, but symptoms are consistent and similar in both when the same organs or bones are affected. When to See a Healthcare Provider/Go to the Hospital A unexplained lump or mass is usually the first sign of fibrosarcoma. New pain or swelling at the site where fibrosarcoma is suspected is the most common symptom that the cancer is growing. If you experience worsening symptoms or new pain, seek immediate medical attention. Summary Fibrosarcoma is a very rare type of cancer that causes excess collagen to be produced where it should not be. Symptoms of this cancer often don’t appear until the cancer is suppressing nearby organs or tissues. Symptoms may include a lump or mass in soft tissue or swelling through the body, especially in the arms and legs. A Word From Verywell Dealing with symptoms of fibrosarcoma is not easy. Even more, coping with the possibility of having this type of cancer can be difficult and very stressful. Getting ahead of your symptoms by figuring out the best and safest ways to relieve your pain and discussing how you feel with a trusted healthcare provider and loved ones may be helpful. If you feel new or recurrent pain, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible. They may be able to provide you with timely pain management and early treatment to help you feel better. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 3 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Augsburger D, Nelson PJ, Kalinski T, et al. Current diagnostics and treatment of fibrosarcoma—perspectives for future therapeutic targets and strategies. Oncotarget. 2017;8(61):104638-104653. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.20136 Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. About childhood fibrosarcoma. Kalil RK. Fibrosarcoma of bone. In: Santini-Araujo E, Kalil RK, Bertoni F, Park YK, eds. Tumors and Tumor-Like Lesions of Bone. Springer; 2015:435-440.