Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Soft tissue sarcoma is a rare type of cancer; it initiates in the tissue which connects, support and surrounds human body structure. Soft tissues sarcoma includes muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves, tendons and lining of the joints. More than 50 subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma exists, some types generally affect children, while others are common with adults. These tumors are difficult to recognize as they mistaken as other types of skin growth. Soft tissue sarcoma can be shaped anywhere in the body, but they are most common at arms, legs, and abdomen. Surgical removal is the most common treatment for Soft tissue sarcoma, in some cases, radiation therapy and chemotherapy is recommended.

SYMPTOMS OR SIGNS

Soft tissue sarcoma does not indicate any signs or symptoms in its early stage, as a tumor grows, it may arise:

1. A noticeable lump or swelling
2. Pain, as a tumor pressurizes on nerves or muscles.
3. A lump increases in size or turns painful
4. A small or big lump which is located deep within muscles
5. Cancer in the tissue under the skin may be noticed as soft, painless lump which gets bigger over time
6. Cancer in the stomach or nearby stomach may add abdominal or stomach pain, a firm feeling of fullness and constipation
7. Cancer near the lungs my originate a cough or breathlessness

A patient should definitely see a doctor if he notices any worrying lump, especially which is getting bigger with the passing time or if the lump has a size of golf ball or larger or any problematic symptoms.

REASON FOR SOFT TISSUE SARCOMA

Basic and general reason for cancer is that a cell develops error or mutation in their DNA, this mutation makes the cell grow and divide out of control. These accumulating abnormal cells create a tumor, which spreads to other parts also. Which type of soft tissue sarcoma a patient have, it depends on which type of cell is progressing genetic mutation, as angiosarcoma starts in the lining of blood vessels while liposarcoma originates from fat cells.

Following are the risk factors:

1. Inherited Syndromes as Li –Fraumeni Syndrome, Werner Syndrome
2. Certain Chemical Exposure as herbicides, arsenic, and dioxin
3. Radiation therapy
4. Increasing age

TREATMENT

People with soft tissue sarcoma, are taken care by Zanish Hospital, with mutual conversation we decide about the most appropriate treatment. Most appropriate treatment depends on many factors as where cancer is developed, type of sarcoma, how far it has been spread, patient’s age and overall health.

Main treatments for soft tissue sarcoma are:

Surgery

A surgical procedure is considered a main treatment for soft tissue sarcomas which are diagnosed at an early age. The surgical procedure of soft tissue sarcoma includes removing a tumor along with the section of surrounding healthy tissue. It helps to ensure that no cancer cell is left in any case. Surgeons try to reduce the impact of surgery, as it should not affect body part’s appearance and function in an adverse way. In some of the cases, a patient may have difficulty using the body part after surgery and repairing surgeries may be needed. In some rare cases, surgeons amputate cancer suffering body part such as part of a leg.

Radiotherapy

In some sarcomas, doctors give radiotherapy before or after surgery to improve the chance of cure. Radiotherapy takes place with the help of a machine which directs beams of radiation on the treatment area. Radiotherapy also chooses by doctors for the treatment of that place where surgery is not possible, it reduces symptoms caused by sarcoma or slows its progress speed.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is generally used before cancer surgery in the treatment process of shrinking a tumor so that its removal could be easier. Chemotherapy process involves anti-cancer medication into the vein. It is not compulsory that Chemotherapy should be used prior to surgery, it can be used alone for those soft tissue sarcomas which could not be removed through surgical procedure.

Chemotherapy is generally used before cancer surgery in the treatment process of shrinking a tumor so that its removal could be easier. Chemotherapy process involves anti-cancer medication into the vein. It is not compulsory that Chemotherapy should be used prior to surgery, it can be used alone for those soft tissue sarcomas which could not be removed through surgical procedure.

Chemotherapy is generally used before cancer surgery in the treatment process of shrinking a tumor so that its removal could be easier. Chemotherapy process involves anti-cancer medication into the vein. It is not compulsory that Chemotherapy should be used prior to surgery, it can be used alone for those soft tissue sarcomas which could not be removed through surgical procedure.