There are no established common risk factors for developing bone or soft tissue sarcomas. It has not been shown that any environmental factors such as water, radon, pollution, living near electrical wires, or any other normal daily exposures place people at increased risk for sarcomas.
Patients who have had radiation to an area previously are at increased risk for developing sarcomas within the treatment field. In addition, patients who have received certain types of chemotherapy are at increased risk for developing sarcomas. Radiation and chemotherapy-induced sarcomas are rare and tend to happen many years following the initial treatment.
Certain rare genetic disorders can predispose patients to developing sarcomas. Smoking and other types of tobacco use, and alcohol have not been shown to result in sarcoma formation or to give patients an increased risk for sarcomas. In general, sarcoma development is thought to be a largely unpredictable random event at this time.