From Jonathan Cluett, M.D.,
Your Guide to Orthopedics.
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About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Kate Grossman, MD

Definition: A sarcoma is a malignant tumor, or cancer. This type of growth can spread throughout the body, although certain sarcomas have more or less of a tendency to spread than others.

The word 'sarcoma' comes from the Greek word meaning fleshy. Sarcomas arise from tissue of a specific origin, called mesenchymal tissue. This tissue is the precursor to fibrous tissue, muscle, bone, and fat.

Most people are familiar with cancers called carcinomas; these include lung, breast, colon, and other cancers. One difference between sarcomas and carcinomas is the way in which these spread through the body. Sarcomas spread through the blood, often to the lung, liver, and brain. Carcinomas spread through lymph fluid, most frequently to nearby lymph nodes.