Soft tissue sarcoma is a malignant tumor that originates in the internal tissues of the body. Although each has its own characteristics, there are common properties, such as its rapid growth, its resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy and the fact that the best treatment is usually surgery. Depending on the diagnosis, a multidisciplinary committee of experts will administer the best treatment.
Soft tissue sarcoma: what is it?
Soft tissue sarcoma (SPBs) is a malignant tumor that originates in the internal tissues of our body. This name encompasses a group of tumors with different characteristics and properties, depending on the tissue where they originate: liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, synovial sarcomas, rhabdomyosarcomas, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, angiosarcomas, schwannoma or malignant neurofibroma, among others. These tissues are present in any part of the body and, therefore, sarcomas can arise anywhere.
Characteristics of soft tissue sarcoma
Although each of these tumors has its own characteristics in terms of aggressiveness, tendency to recur (local relapse) or spread (metastasis), sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiotherapy or appearance under the microscope or on imaging tests such as CT and MRI, they share, in general, the following properties:
– Clinically they appear as more or less rapidly growing tumors. It is therefore essential to consult promptly when a more or less rapidly growing lump appears.
– They are generally quite resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy (the exceptions being Ewing’s sarcoma and GIST tumors).
– Surgery is therefore the best trump card in the treatment of these tumors. Excision with radical or curative intent should include the entire tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue to reduce the risk of local relapse.
Diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma
Once a suspicious tumor is detected, the way to study sarcomas is as follows:
– Imaging studies, especially CT and MRI, of the tumor: to assess the tumor, its relationship with neighboring structures and the possibility of removal with curative intent.
– General screening, by means of CT or PET to rule out extension (metastasis) in other organs.
– Biopsy of the tumor to confirm the malignant nature of the lesion and the type of tumor in question.
– Study of the patient’s general state of health.
With the results of these tests, a committee of different specialists (multidisciplinary committee), which generally includes: expert general surgeon, oncologist, radiotherapist, radiologist and pathologist, meets to decide the best treatment strategy for each particular case.