By Treven Pyles
Posted on August 17th, 2022
As the name suggests, soft tissue sarcoma refers to all cancers that start in the soft tissues of the body, namely the muscles, lymph and blood vessels, tendons, fat, and nerves. While the cause of these diseases mostly concerns genetics, exposure to hazardous chemicals such as vinyl chloride and dioxins was found to be a risk factor, too.
By the end of 2022, approximately 13,190 people in the United States will have received a soft tissue sarcoma diagnosis. There are roughly 50 subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma, and they are very rare. It is worthy of note that soft tissue sarcoma mostly occurs in the arms, legs, chest, and abdomen. However, these cancers can develop anywhere in the body. The most common sign of soft tissue sarcoma is a lump or swelling in soft tissue. These are some of the most frequently diagnosed subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma:
- desmoid tumors: they grow from the cells that make up connective tissue, which supports and connects the bones, ligaments, and muscles while also holding the organs in place
- alveolar soft part sarcoma: it occurs in muscle, fat, or nerves and usually develops in the leg, but it can also start in other parts of the body, such as the arms, head, or neck
- infantile myofibromatosis: this is a rare tumor that grows in the skin, muscles, bones, and, sometimes, in the organs of the chest or abdomen
- clear cell sarcoma: it occurs mostly in the arms, legs, feet, and hands, but it can also grow in the torso, including the stomach and intestines
Two dangerous chemicals associated with a high risk of soft tissue sarcoma that were lurking on military bases during the last century are vinyl chloride and dioxins. Vinyl chloride was present as a contaminant at Camp Lejeune. If you are a veteran or a family member of one who lived at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 consecutive days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and came to struggle with soft tissue sarcoma, please contact our law firm. You may be eligible for compensation for your unjust suffering. We will file a Camp Lejeune toxic water claim or lawsuit for you.
The association between soft tissue sarcoma and toxic exposure
According to a study from the European Journal of Cancer Prevention, individuals exposed to vinyl chloride have a higher risk of developing liver angiosarcoma, a subtype of soft tissue sarcoma that occurs in the lining of blood and lymph vessels. Researchers observed 22,000 workers from 56 plants in North America and Europe who would regularly come in direct contact with vinyl chloride on the job. They were followed for 50 years. Out of the participants, 71 developed liver angiosarcoma.
Dioxin exposure has also been associated with a high risk of soft tissue sarcoma. A study published in the medical journal Environmental Health found a 3.3 times greater risk of developing soft tissue sarcoma in both men and women exposed to dioxins via inhalation over a long time from waste incinerators and industrial sources. Interestingly, a significant excess of risk was observed in women. The study supports the link between modeled dioxin exposure and sarcoma risk.
File your toxic exposure claim with the assistance of our skilled attorneys
If you struggle with soft tissue sarcoma and spent time at a military base during the last century, your diagnosis is most likely the result of toxic exposure. Therefore, we encourage you to contact our specialized attorneys, as they have over two decades of experience in this area of practice. As a veteran, you will have to retrieve your military records and your medical records and send these documents to our legal team if you want to file a claim. If you are a family member who lived on a contaminated military base, we will need proof of your stay there and also your medical records.
After a careful evaluation of your case, our resourceful attorneys will let you know whether you are eligible to file a claim. If you are, they will begin preparing your claim for submission as soon as possible. Your involvement in the legal process will be minimal, as we are aware of how overwhelming and challenging struggling with cancer can be. In the end, our legal team will present you with the maximum financial compensation available for your unfair suffering. It is important to remember that we operate on a contingency fee basis, so you will not have to pay us anything unless we obtain money for you.
