What Are Bone Tumors and Soft Tissue Tumors?
Tumors are lumps of tissue that form when cells divide uncontrollably. There are two general types of tumors: • Benign tumors are not cancer and do not spread from their original (primary) location. They can come back (recur) at their original location. • Malignant tumors are cancer and may spread cancer cells to other parts of the body (metastasis). When tumors start inside the skeleton, such as in leg bones, ribs or arm bones, they are called bone tumors. When they start inside other tissues, such as muscles, fat and blood vessels, they are called soft tissue tumors. Both bone tumors and soft tissue tumors can be either benign or malignant. When these tumors are cancerous, they are called sarcomas.
