# sarcoma

/sɑɹˈkoʊmɝ/ (US) · /sɑːkˈəʊmɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sarcoma
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a type of cancer that starts in the bones or the soft tissues of the body, like muscles or fat. It is less common than other types of cancer.

For teachers: a malignant tumor that originates in the connective or supportive tissues of the body, such as bone, cartilage, fat, or muscle. Often used in medical contexts to distinguish from carcinomas, which arise from epithelial cells.

## Examples

- The doctor ordered a biopsy to check if the lump was a sarcoma.
- After the initial diagnosis, the patient underwent a series of scans to determine if the sarcoma had spread to other parts of the body.
- While relatively rare compared to other solid tumors, sarcomas are particularly challenging to treat because they often occur in deep tissues where surgical margins are difficult to achieve without damaging vital organs.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.