Features and diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma

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, resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy and that the best treatment to be sole surgery. Depending on the diagnosis, a multidisciplinary committee of experts administer the best treatment.

Soft tissue sarcoma: what is

Soft tissue sarcoma (SPBs) is a malignant tumor that originates in the inner tissues of our body. With this name a group of tumors with different characteristics and properties are included, depending on the tissue where they originate: liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, synovial sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, angiosarcoma, malignant schwannoma or neurofibroma, among others. These tissues are present anywhere in the body and therefore sarcomas can arise anywhere.

Features soft tissue sarcoma

While each of these tumors has its own characteristics in terms of aggressiveness, tendency to recur (local relapse) or spread (metastasize), sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiotherapy or look under a microscope or imaging tests such as CT and MRI magnetic share, in general, the following properties:

- Clinically tumors appear as more or less rapid growth. It is therefore essential to consult quickly when a bundle of more or less rapid growth appears- They are generally quite resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy (this time representing the exception that meets the standard Ewing's Sarcoma and GIST tumors)- Surgery is therefore the best bet in the treatment of these tumors. Or radical excision with curative intent should include the entire tumor and some healthy tissue around it to reduce the risk of local relapse

Diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma

Once a suspected tumor is detected, the way of studying sarcomas is:- Imaging studies, especially CT and MRI, the tumor: to assess the same, its relationship to neighboring structures and the possibility of an excision with curative intent.- General Tracking, CT or PET to rule out the spread (metastasize) to other organs.- Biopsy of the tumor in order to confirm the malignant nature of the lesion and the type of tumor being treated.- Study of the general health of the patient.

With the results of these tests, a committee of different specialists (multidisciplinary committee) and generally includes: General Surgeon expert , oncologist, radiation oncologist, radiologist and pathologist, it meets to decide the best treatment strategy for each individual case.

Edited by Patricia Crespo Pujante