Common Causes
There is no known cause of fibrosarcoma. Like most cancers, the exact reason this type of cancer develops is a mystery, but certain genetic mutations can increase your risk.
Exposure to certain chemicals such as herbicides and arsenic may also increase your risk of fibrosarcoma and other types of soft tissue sarcomas.
Preexisting bone lesions or irradiated tissues (such as those exposed to prior radiation treatment for other cancer) may give rise to secondary fibrosarcoma of the bone.
Widespread scar tissue formation after a burn or injury may also put you at a higher risk of developing this rare disease.
Genetics
Research to explain the link between our genes and the development of fibrosarcoma is ongoing. Research has found that fibrosarcoma tumors are more likely to develop in those with inherited conditions such as:
Neurofibromatosis type 1: Causes tumors to form around the nerves Tuberous sclerosis: A rare condition in which noncancerous tumors form in many parts of the body Werner syndrome: A rare progressive disorder causing an appearance of accelerated aging (progeria) Gorlin syndrome: A condition that increases the risk of developing skin cancer at an early age Li-Fraumeni syndrome: Increases the risk of many different types of cancer, including more than one during a lifetime and at an earlier age than usual Gardner syndrome: A rare condition that increases the risk of colon polyps and colon cancer at an early age Retinoblastoma: A genetic condition that causes eye cancer, most commonly in children
Genetic sequencing and advanced molecular techniques have also revealed a range of potential genetic mutations, including p53, RB, PI3K, and IDH genes, that may play a role in the development of fibrosarcoma.
These genetic mutations are also potential therapeutic targets that may lead to the development of targeted treatment of different sarcoma subtypes. For this reason, sarcoma-targeting immunotherapies and gene editing (or genome editing, which can change an organism’s hereditary material) are two promising treatment techniques.
Lifestyle Factors
While lifestyle factors such as smoking, diet, and exercise have not been linked to increased risk for soft tissue sarcomas such as fibrosarcoma, it is important to note that maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, exercising, and eating a healthy diet are helpful strategies for reducing your overall cancer risk.
Summary
There is no known cause of fibrosarcoma. However, there are some factors that may increase your risk, including radiation exposure during prior cancer treatment, exposure to certain chemicals like herbicides, and widespread scar tissue from a burn or injury. Certain genetic mutations have also been associated with an increased likelihood of developing fibrosarcoma.
A Word From Verywell
Although the precise cause of fibrosarcoma is unknown, genetic sequencing and advances in medical technology have provided some hope for some answers and the potential for targeted therapeutic interventions in the future.
Avoiding risk factors like exposure to toxic chemicals such as vinyl chloride, arsenic, and dioxin and living a healthy lifestyle further lower your risk of developing fibrosarcoma, although the overall risk of having this condition is exceedingly rare.
