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:
The cancer can form almost anywhere, but is most common in the:
STS; Leiomyosarcoma; Hemangiosarcoma; Kaposi's sarcoma; Lymphangiosarcoma; Synovial sarcoma; Neurofibrosarcoma; Liposarcoma; Fibrosarcoma; Malignant fibrous histiocytoma; Dermatofibrosarcoma; Angiosarcoma
It is not known what causes most sarcomas. But there are certain risk factors:
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:
Surgery is the most common treatment for STS.
You also may have radiation or chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy may be used to help kill cancer that has metastasized. This means it has spread to different areas of the body.
William Tap is a Hematologist Oncology expert in New York, New York. Tap has been practicing medicine for over 23 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma. He is also highly rated in 31 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor, Angiosarcoma, Tissue Biopsy, and Liver Embolization. Tap is currently accepting new patients.
Sandra Dangelo is an Oncologist in New York, New York. Dangelo has been practicing medicine for over 19 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma. She is also highly rated in 34 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Liposarcoma, Merkel Cell Carcinoma, Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Synovial Sarcoma, and Liver Embolization. Dangelo is currently accepting new patients.
Gary Schwartz is an Oncologist in New York, New York. Schwartz has been practicing medicine for over 40 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma. He is also highly rated in 30 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Liposarcoma, Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Fibrosarcoma, Synovial Sarcoma, and Liver Embolization. Schwartz is currently accepting new patients.
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.
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.
Complications include side effects from surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.
See your provider about any lump that grows in size or is painful.
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.
Summary: This phase III trial compares the safety and effect of adding vinorelbine to vincristine, dactinomycin, and cyclophosphamide (VAC) for the treatment of patients with high risk rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). High risk refers to cancer that is likely to recur (come back) after treatment or spread to other parts of the body. This study will also examine if adding maintenance therapy after VAC therapy, with ...
Background: The drug PEN-866 can remain in tumor cells longer than it does in normal cells. It also may be more effective than other drugs at treating Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. Researchers want to learn if combining PEN-866 with other drugs can treat certain cancers in adolescents and young adults.
Published Date: August 15, 2022
Published By: Todd Gersten, MD, Hematology/Oncology, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, Wellington, 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. Editorial update 02/14/2023.
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. Adult soft tissue sarcoma treatment (PDQ) - health professional version. www.cancer.gov/types/soft-tissue-sarcoma/hp/adult-soft-tissue-treatment-pdq#section/all. Updated December 16, 2022. Accessed February 14, 2023.
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.