Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Soft tissue sarcomas are rare forms of cancer. There are more than 50 different types of soft tissue sarcomas. Some types affect children more often while others tend to affect adults. Doctors are not certain what causes most soft tissue sarcomas to develop.

At The University of Kansas Cancer Center, we have deep expertise in treating several specific types of soft tissue cancers, along with offering our patients access to leading-edge treatments through clinical trials.

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of cancers that occur in the soft tissues of the body, such as muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerve tissue and connective tissue. Sarcomas typically occur within the arms or legs, but may develop in any area of the body, including the chest, spine and abdomen. Sarcomas can metastasize or spread to other organs of the body, most often the lungs.

Soft tissue sarcomas typically appear as slow-growing, painless masses, usually in the arms, legs, chest or abdomen. Because they are not painful, they often come to a physician's attention only after several months of growth. Many times, a patient will describe a recent injury or trauma in the area of the tumor that leads them to notice the mass. Proper diagnosis of soft tissue cancer can be challenging because the tumors can resemble other types of growths that are not cancerous. Left untreated, soft tissue sarcoma tumors grow larger and the cancer can spread.

The most common treatment for soft tissue sarcomas is to surgically remove the tumor. Along with the tumor, your surgeon will remove a cuff of normal tissue that surrounds the tumor. Additional treatment might include:

• Radiation to reduce the chance of local recurrence
• Chemotherapy to minimize the risk of the tumor spreading within the body
• Limb salvage and preservation to avoid amputation
• Microsurgery for soft tissue reconstruction
• Brachytherapy to deliver high doses of radiation directly to tumors
• Clinical trials to provide advanced treatments in addition to your current standard of care

The best treatment option will depend on your specific type of soft tissue cancer. Your doctor will also consider how far the cancer has spread, its location, your age and general health and many other factors before recommending a treatment plan.