Definition
Connective tissue cancer is an umbrella term for both benign and malignant tumours of the connective tissue. They develop from special connective tissue cells, the fibroblasts, which are physiologically responsible for the formation of connective tissue. When these cells degenerate, an unhindered production and multiplication of the connective tissue takes place. Depending on whether the cancer is benign or malignant, one speaks of either a fibroma or a fibrosarcoma. Benign fibromas can be further divided into hard fibromas and soft fibromas.
Causes of connective tissue cancer
The exact cause for the development of connective tissue cancer is not yet known. One possibility for the development of a benign fibroma is a defect in the embryonic development of the body tissue. With regard to malignant fibrosarcoma, the following causes are discussed: The contact with chemicals, such as weed control agents or dioxins, which can be produced during the incineration of household waste, are possible causes for the development of malignant fibrosarcomas.
Malignant connective tissue tumours are also found in certain genetic diseases, such as neurofibromatosis type 1 (Recklinghausen disease) or Li-Fraumeni syndrome. After radiotherapy in the context of cancer, the increased incidence of fibrosarcoma, among other things, has also been observed. It is also possible that a benign fibroma develops into a malignant fibrosarcoma; however, this is very rare and usually associated with genetic diseases such as Recklinghausen’s disease. A form of congenital conjunctival cancer rarely occurs in small children.
Diagnosis of connective tissue cancer
The diagnosis of fibroma is made clinically, usually by the dermatologist (skin specialist) to whom patients have turned for a visually striking, usually painless skin change. If malignancy is suspected, a tissue sample is taken during surgical removal (biopsy) and then examined. If a fibrosarcoma is diagnosed, imaging procedures such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) follow to further assess the tumor.
You can recognize connective tissue cancer by these symptoms
Connective tissue cancer is initially characterized by a painless, enlarged area under the skin. Benign fibromas also have specific localisations on the body. Soft fibroids are particularly common in the neck, armpit, groin and under the breast in women.
They are skin coloured. Hard fibroids, on the other hand, are often found in the area of the legs and look darker due to the colour pigments embedded in them. Hard fibroids can be recognised by the so-called Fitzpatrick sign, in which the affected area is pressed together with thumb and index finger, whereupon it sinks into the skin.
Fibromas stop growing during their development and retain their existing size. Less than 10% of connective tissue tumours are malignant fibrosarcomas. They are more difficult to detect and are often diagnosed as random findings in a tissue sample (biopsy).
Fibrosarcomas, like fibromas, are painless for a long time, but gradually increase in size over time. Fibrosarcoma should be considered from a size of 5 cm. In the case of very large tumours, functional failure of the affected part of the body can also occur.