WHAT IS SOFT TISSUE SARCOMA?
Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is a rare type of cancer (comprising of about 2% of all cancers). It can start from cells in the supporting tissues of the body, which support, connect, surround, and protect the bodily organs. They include:
- Muscles
- Blood vessels
- Nerves
- Fat
- Tissues
- Tendons and Ligaments
Most common parts of the body for the development of sarcoma are arms and legs.
More than 30 different types of STS have been identified and are usually named on the type of tissue they start in.
COMMON TYPES OF SOFT-TISSUE SARCOMA
WHEN TO SEEK MEDICAL HELP?
Some types most likely affect children, while others may affect adults.
These tumors can be difficult to diagnose because they might appear similar to other types of growths in the body.
- A NEW LUMP
- PAIN IN THE LUMP
- DIFFICULTY IN NORMAL MOVEMENTS
- INCREASING SIZE OF THE EXISTING LUMP
- UNINTENDED WEIGHT LOSS
- FATIGUE
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS!
Does STS have any risk factor?
Most of the patients who develop soft tissue sarcoma DO NOT HAVE ANY RISK FACTOR.
Can STS spread?
Soft tissue sarcomas CAN SPREAD to lungs, draining lymph nodes, and other solid organs.
Your doctor would advice screening of these sites before commencing treatment for soft tissue sarcomas.
How is it diagnosed?
Accurate diagnosis is the key in the management of soft tissue sarcomas. Doctor may recommend a procedure to remove a sample of tissue (biopsy) from the tumour for laboratory testing.
Evaluation at a cancer centre that treats large number of sarcoma patients and has a specialized sarcoma management team improves chances of correct diagnosis and treatment and reduces the risks for relapse.
A wrong biopsy may cause cancer to spread!
Once diagnosis of a cancer is confirmed, your doctor will ask for some further investigations to rule out the spread of disease which can include a PET scan, CT scan of chest and ultrasonography of draining glands etc.
TREATMENT IN A NUTSHELL
Your doctor may tell you different treatment options. However, having appropriate knowledge about them will help you make the right decision!
Soft Tissue Sarcoma Surgery in Gurgaon
- One of the main treatments for sarcoma
- Type of surgery depends upon the location of sarcoma in the body
- Two major types:
- Limb-sparing surgery (removal of the tumour and surrounding tissue; allows to keep optimal use of the limb)
- Amputation (removal of part or whole limb; and use of prosthetic limb)
CHEMOTHERAPY
- Destroys cancer cells using anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs
- Can be given before or after surgery, or as a supportive care (to improve the quality of life)
- Used for certain types of STS
RADIATION THERAPY
- Destroys cancer cells by using high energy x-rays
- Can be given before surgery to shrink the tumour
- Can be given after surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of cancer coming back
- Two types: External and Brachytherapy
OUTCOME OF THE TREATMENT
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Outcome depends upon several factors like type of cancer, stage of disease, previous surgical treatment, adequacy of treatment and many more.
- For Stage I sarcomas, 5 yr survival is between 80-90%.
- For Stage II/III soft tissue sarcomas, 5 year survival of upto 60-65% can be expected.
- For stage IV tumours, 5 yr survival is usually 40%.