Soft tissue sarcomas are often misdiagnosed as benign masses. The two can present in a similar manner, as painless, growing soft tissue lumps or bumps. However, misdiagnosis of the rare, soft tissue sarcoma can have devastating consequences.

"Every year in the United States, approximately 10,000 soft tissue sarcomas are diagnosed; the rarity of this cancer likely contributes to physicians' lack of heightened awareness of it," said Ginger Holt, M.D., chief of the Division of Musculoskeletal Oncology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

 "In today's era of rapid communication and accessible information, modern physician education regimes should have overcome that."