incidence

Last edited 02/2023 and last reviewed 02/2023

• soft tissue sarcomas account for approximately 1% of all malignant tumours
  • approximately 2,300 people were diagnosed annually with soft tissue sarcoma in England between 1990 and 2007
    • no significant differences in age-standardised incidence rates between males and females
    • more than 65% of cases occurred in people aged 50 and over. Between 1990 and 2007, the incidence rate increased significantly by 26%. However, it is uncertain if these increases are caused by true rises in incidence, improved awareness and diagnosis, or better reporting and coding
      
      
  • majority of soft tissue sarcomas occur in patients aged 50 and over - an age profile similar to many carcinomas
    • however, the age profile of patients diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma depends on the morphology of the sarcoma. Leiomyosarcomas and liposarcomas are two examples of a soft tissue sarcoma which is most common in the elderly, rhabdomysarcomas are most common in children and adolescents, and synovial sarcomas have a higher occurrence in young adults
      
      
  • 5-year relative survival for soft tissue sarcomas diagnosed in England was only 47% for patients diagnosed in 1990 and 51% for patients diagnosed in 2002. This small improvement is not statistically significant

Reference:

• (1) NCIN (National Cancer Intelligence Network).Soft Tissue Sarcomas: incidence and survival rates in England (Accessed 5/2/2023)