Learn About Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma

What is the definition of Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is cancer that forms in the soft tissue of the body. Soft tissue connects, supports, or surrounds other body parts. In adults, STS is rare.

There are many different types of soft tissue cancers. The type of sarcoma depends on the tissue it forms in:

  • Muscles
  • Tendons
  • Fat
  • Blood vessels
  • Lymph vessels
  • Nerves
  • Tissues in and around joints

The cancer can form almost anywhere, but is most common in the:

  • Head
  • Neck
  • Arms
  • Legs
  • Trunk
  • Abdomen
What are the alternative names for Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

STS; Leiomyosarcoma; Hemangiosarcoma; Kaposi's sarcoma; Lymphangiosarcoma; Synovial sarcoma; Neurofibrosarcoma; Liposarcoma; Fibrosarcoma; Malignant fibrous histiocytoma; Dermatofibrosarcoma; Angiosarcoma

What are the causes of Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

It is not known what causes most sarcomas. But there are certain risk factors:

  • Some inherited diseases, such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome
  • Radiation therapy for other cancers
  • Exposure to certain chemicals, such as vinyl chloride or certain herbicides
  • Having swelling in the arms or legs for a long time (lymphedema)
What are the symptoms of Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

In early stages, there are often no symptoms. As the cancer grows, it may cause a lump or swelling that keeps growing over time. Most lumps are not due to cancer.

Other symptoms include:

  • Pain, if it presses on a nerve, organ, blood vessel, bone, or muscle
  • Blockage or bleeding in the stomach or intestines
  • Breathing problems
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What are the current treatments for Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

Surgery is the most common treatment for STS.

  • In early stages, the tumor and some healthy tissue around it is removed.
  • Sometimes, just a small amount of tissue needs to be removed. Other times, a wider area of tissue must be removed.
  • With advanced cancers that form in an arm or leg, surgery may be followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Rarely, the limb may need to be amputated.

You also may have radiation therapy or chemotherapy:

  • Used before surgery to help shrink the tumor to make it easier to remove the cancer
  • Used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells

Chemotherapy may be used to help kill cancer that has metastasized. This means it has spread to different areas of the body.

Who are the top Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma Local Doctors?
Oncology | Hematology Oncology
Oncology | Hematology Oncology

Bronson Battle Creek Hospital

300 N Ave, 
Battle Creek, MI 
 3.1 mi

Sapna Patel is an Oncologist and a Hematologist Oncology provider in Battle Creek, Michigan. Dr. Patel and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma. Her top areas of expertise are Childhood Iron Deficiency Anemia, Iron Deficiency Anemia, Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC), and Lung Adenocarcinoma.

Hematology Oncology | Hematology | Oncology
Hematology Oncology | Hematology | Oncology

Ascension Medical Group Promed

200 N Park St, 
Kalamazoo, MI 
 17.9 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Hemasri Tokala is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and a Hematologist in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Dr. Tokala and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma. Her top areas of expertise are Paget Disease of the Breast, Pleuropulmonary Blastoma, Thrombocytopenia, and Lung Cancer. Dr. Tokala is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Hematology Oncology
Hematology Oncology
300 North Avenue, 
Battle Creek, MI 
 3.1 mi

Stephen Smiley is a Hematologist Oncology provider in Battle Creek, Michigan. Dr. Smiley and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma. His top areas of expertise are Inflammatory Breast Cancer, Breast Cancer, Paget Disease of the Breast, and Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC).

What are the support groups for Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

Cancer affects how you feel about yourself and your life. You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have had the same experiences and problems can help you feel less alone.

Ask your provider to help you find a support group for people who have been diagnosed with STS.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

The outlook for people whose cancer is treated early is very good. Most people who survive 5 years can expect to be cancer-free at 10 years.

What are the possible complications of Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

Complications include side effects from surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.

When should I contact a medical professional for Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

See your provider about any lump that grows in size or is painful.

How do I prevent Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

The cause of most STSs isn't known and there is no way to prevent it. Knowing your risk factors and telling your provider when you first notice symptoms can increase your chance of surviving this type of cancer.

What are the latest Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma Clinical Trials?
Collection of Blood, Bone Marrow, Tumor, or Tissue Samples From Patients With HIV Infection, KSHV Infection, Viral-Related Pre-Malignant Lesions, and/or Cancer

Summary: BACKGROUND: * A number of important scientific advances can be made through the study of blood, bone marrow, tumor, or other tissue samples from patients with HIV infection, infection with Kaposi s sarcoma associated herpesvirus (KSHV), infection with other oncogenic viruses, or cancer. * This protocol provides a mechanism to affect a variety of such studies. OBJECTIVES: -Acquisition of serum, cir...

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Pooled Mutant KRAS-Targeted Long Peptide Vaccine Combined With Nivolumab and Ipilimumab for Patients With Advanced KRAS Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Summary: This is a single institution, Phase 1 study for patients with Stage III/IV unresectable Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) mutated NSCLC to evaluate safety of the pooled mutant-KRAS peptide vaccine (KRAS peptide vaccine) with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly-ICLC) adjuvant in combination with nivolumab and ipilimumab in the first line treatment setting. The primary objectives of this study are to det...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: August 21, 2024
Published By: Warren Brenner, MD, Oncologist, Lynn Cancer Institute, Boca Raton, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Contreras CM, Heslin MJ. Soft tissue sarcoma. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 32.

National Cancer Institute website. Soft tissue sarcoma treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/soft-tissue-sarcoma/hp/adult-soft-tissue-treatment-pdq#section/all. Updated April 10, 2024. Accessed August 29, 2024.

Van Tine BA. Sarcomas of soft tissue. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 90.