What is the definition of "sarcoma"?

Sarcoma is defined as a malignant tumor that arises from mesenchymal tissue, which includes connective tissues such as bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, and blood vessels. Mesenchymal tissues are crucial components of the body's structural framework, and tumors originating from these tissues can be aggressive and often metastasize. The malignant nature of sarcomas sets them apart from benign tumors, which do not invade surrounding tissues and do not have the potential to spread.

In contrast, the options describing benign tumors, tumors confined to the skin, or lymphomas do not reflect the essence of sarcoma. A benign tumor of epithelial origin would refer to an adenoma or a papilloma, both of which are non-malignant. A tumor limited exclusively to the skin would pertain to skin cancers like basal cell carcinoma or melanoma, rather than the broader category of sarcomas. Moreover, lymphomas primarily originate from lymphoid tissue rather than mesenchymal origin, further emphasizing why option B accurately represents sarcomas.