Soft Tissue Sarcoma

A soft tissue sarcoma is a form of sarcoma, a cancer, that develops in connective tissue, though the term is sometimes applied to elements of the soft tissue that are not currently considered connective tissue.

Symptoms

Soft tissue sarcomas usually do not show symptoms,In their early stages.Because soft tissue is relatively elastic, tumors can grow rather large, pushing aside normal tissue, before they are felt or cause any problems. The noticeable symptoms are

· painless lump or swelling.

· As the tumor grows, it may cause other symptoms, such as pain or soreness, as it presses against nearby nerves and muscles.

· If in the abdomen it can cause abdominal pains commonly mistaken for menstrual cramps, indigestion, or cause constipation.

Medical Tests & Diagnosis

Anamnesis: This is the test done for detailed medical review of past health state

Laboratory Tests

· Alkaline phosphates test

· PTH test

· Serum phosphorus

· Ionized calcium and serum calcium

Imaging Tests

· Bone X-Ray: An x-ray test uses high energy electromagnetic radiation to penetrate the body & bones to create their image on a film. Dense tissues or structures appear white, the air black, and other structures in shades of gray

· Computed tomography (CT) is a medical imaging method employing tomography created by computer processing. Digital geometry processing is used to generate a three-dimensional image of the inside of an object from a large series of two-dimensional X-ray images taken around a single axis of rotation.

· Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI):This is primarily a medical imaging technique used in radiology to visualize detailed internal structure and limited function of the body. MRI provides much greater contrast between the different soft tissues of the body than computed tomography (CT) does, making it especially useful in neurological (brain), musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and oncological (cancer) imaging. Unlike CT, MRI uses no ionizing radiation

· Biopsies: A biopsy is a medical procedure that removes a tissue sample for microscopic examination. The biopsy is the most conclusive test because it confirms if the tumor is malignant or benign, the bone cancer type (primary or secondary bone cancer), and stage.

Treatments

Radiation therapy: Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is a type of local therapy. It affects cells only in the treated area. Radiation therapy is used alone for small tumors or for patients who cannot have surgery. It may be used before surgery to kill cancer cells and shrink the tumor. It also may be used after surgery to destroy cancer cells that may remain in the area.

Surgery: Physicians at Mayo Clinic typically recommend that liposarcomas be surgically removed whenever possible. Surgeons try to remove the primary cancer completely while minimizing the impact on the function and appearance of the affected part of the body. Patients who undergo surgery receive a thorough evaluation by an anesthesiologist prior to surgery.

Computed tomography (CT) :is a medical imaging method employing tomography created by computer processing. Digital geometry processing is used to generate a three-dimensional image of the inside of an object from a large series of two-dimensional X-ray images taken around a single axis of rotation.