[Epidemiology of soft tissue sarcomas in adults]

Soft tissue sarcoma accounts for a approximately 1% of all cancers. Excluding Kaposi sarcoma, the incidence of soft tissue sarcoma has remained stable in Europe (3-4/100,000). ENDOGENOUS FACTORS: Endogenous factors are related to rare genetic syndromes (Li-Fraumeni syndrome, neurofibromatosis, Werner syndrome, bilateral retinoblastom). EXOGENOUS FACTORS: Exogenous factors associated with soft tissue sarcoma are essentially iatrogenic: radiation therapy (prevalence of radiation-induced sarcoma: 0.17-0.21%) and chronically edematous arms after radical mastectomy for breast cancer (Stewart-Treves syndrome). Many studies suggest that environmental or occupational exposure to chlorophenol, phenoxy-herbicides or dioxin increase the risk of soft tissue sarcoma. FURTHER RESEARCH: Little is known about the epidemiology of soft tissue sarcoma. Case-control studies are needed.