A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing cancer. Some risk factors can be controlled, such as smoking, and some cannot be controlled, such as age and family history. Although risk factors can influence the development of cancer, most do not directly cause cancer. Some people with several risk factors never develop cancer, while others with no known risk factors do. However, knowing your risk factors and communicating them to your doctor may help you make more informed lifestyle and health care choices.
Most sarcomas do not have known causes. The following factors can raise a person’s risk of developing sarcoma:
Previous radiation therapy. People who have been treated with radiation therapy for a previous cancer have a slightly increased risk of later developing sarcoma.
Genetics. People with certain inherited diseases, such as von Recklinghausen’s disease (neurofibromatosis), Gardner syndrome, Werner syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, or retinoblastoma are at greater risk for sarcoma.
Chemicals. Workplace exposure to vinyl chloride monomer (used in making some types of plastics) or to dioxin may increase the risk of sarcoma. However, most sarcoma is not known to be associated with specific environmental hazards.
Last Updated: October 01, 2009
