Risk Factors
There are many risk factors that can make you more susceptible to sarcoma. Some inherited syndromes like neurofibromatosis type 1 and familial retinoblastoma would be passed from parents to their kids. Also, radiation treatments for cancer would increase the risk of having sarcoma later in life. Those people who are often exposed to harmful substances in working sites or surrounding environments, such as lead or herbicides, can have genetic mutations in the long run. Herpes virus 8 and some other strains are associated with a special form called Kaposi’s sarcoma, especially in people with compromised immune systems. Another risk factor is lymphedema, which is a chronic swelling triggered by a damaged or blocked lymphatic system. It can lead to angiosarcoma, a form of soft tissue sarcoma. [5]
