Soft Tissue Tumors

A soft tissue tumor is a growth or lump that forms in the soft tissues of the body, like muscles, fat, tendons, and blood vessels. They can be either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Lipoma (benign tumor made of fat cells)

Fibroma (benign tumor made of fibrous tissue)

Liposarcoma (cancerous tumor made of fat cells)

Leiomyosarcoma (cancerous tumor in smooth muscle)

Rhabdomyosarcoma (cancerous tumor in skeletal muscle)

Benign soft tissue tumors are non-cancerous lumps that grow slowly. They don't spread to other parts of the body. Some common benign soft tissue tumors are lipomas (fatty lumps) or fibromas (made of fibrous tissue).

Treatment: Often, benign tumors don't need treatment unless they cause pain or discomfort. If necessary, doctors can remove them through surgery.

Unlike bone cancers, soft tissue cancers are seen in elderly patients usually after 40 years.

A lump or swelling in the body, which may or may not be painful

Pain or discomfort in the area of the tumor

Difficulty moving the affected part of the body if the tumor presses on muscles, nerves, or joints

Unexplained weight loss or fatigue (in advanced cases)

Imaging tests: These may include X-rays, MRI for local site and a PET CT scans to see the tumor and check if it has spread.

Needle Biopsy: A small sample of the tumor is removed and examined under a microscope to determine if it's cancerous.

Yes, a Needle biopsy is often necessary to confirm whether a tumor is cancerous (malignant) or not (benign). It also helps to know the grade of tumor so helps the doctor choose the right treatment plan like type of surgery, adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy

Surgery: To remove the tumor (Limb saving surgery)

Radiation therapy: High-energy rays are used to shrink or kill cancer cells, usefull to prevent cancer coming back in the same place.

Chemotherapy: Powerful drugs to kill cancer cells in blood, it reduces the recurrence of cancer. It has limited role in soft tissue cancers.

Soft tissue cancer is not contagious, meaning it does not spread to family members or caregivers. However, some forms of soft tissue cancer can run in families due to genetic factors, but it's still relatively rare.

Yes, treatment is available for soft tissue cancers, and the outlook depends on the type of cancer, how early it's found, and how well the body responds to treatment. Cure rate with localised cancer varies from 60-80 percent.

Yes, Following are the high risk factors Large size, High grade, Certain cancer subtypes, Recurrent cancers, upfront metastatic Cancer and Inadequate surgical removal

You should consult an orthopedic oncologist if you have a lump or swelling in your muscles, fat, or bones, or if you're diagnosed with soft tissue cancer. An orthopedic oncologist specializes in bone and soft tissue cancers and can recommend the best treatment plan.

Radiotherapy (or radiation therapy) is used to treat soft tissue cancer by using high-energy rays to shrink or kill cancer cells. It mainly helps to reduce the chance of cancer coming back in the same location.

After surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.

When surgery isn't possible to reduce the size of the tumor.

Chemotherapy is used to treat cancer by using strong drugs to kill or shrink cancer cells. Role of chemotherapy is limited in soft tissue cancers. Chemotherapy is recommended in following condition Favourable histology which responds well to chemotherapy soft tissue Ewings sarcoma, Synovial sarcoma, Myxoid liposarcoma, Rhabdomyosarcomas High risk patients (multiple times recurrent cancers, if cancer has spread to other body)

Orthopedic oncologists are specialists who focus on cancers in the bones and soft tissues. They have the expertise to diagnose, treat, and manage sarcomas (a type of soft tissue cancer), and they know the best ways to preserve limb function and prevent recurrence. They also understand how to treat the unique aspects of bone and soft tissue cancers

Risk of Spreading Cancer Cells:

Open biopsy or excision biopsy may inadvertently cause cancer cells to spread to nearby tissues. When a large incision is made to remove a sample of the tumor, there is a risk that cancer cells could be pushed or dispersed into surrounding healthy tissues. This could make the cancer harder to treat or cause it to spread.

Difficulty in Planning Surgery:

If a biopsy is done in a way that disturbs the tumor too much, it can make it harder for the surgeon to remove the entire tumor later on. The biopsy might change the shape or spread of the tumor, making the surgery to remove it less effective and complicating future planning for the best treatment approach.

Need for Accurate Diagnosis:

In soft tissue cancer, it’s very important to get an accurate diagnosis from the biopsy, which helps to determine the exact type of cancer. To get the best results, needle biopsy (a smaller, less invasive procedure where a thin needle is used to remove a sample of the tumor) is typically preferred. This method is less likely to disturb the tumor or spread the cancer, and it can still provide enough tissue for the pathologist to make a diagnosis.

Risk of Spreading Cancer Cells:

Avoiding Invasive Procedures:

Excision biopsy (removal of the tumor) is a more invasive procedure and may not be necessary if a smaller, less invasive biopsy can give enough information to proceed with the right treatment. If the cancer is diagnosed accurately, it may be treated with surgery or other methods, without the need for an excision during the biopsy.

Tumor Location:

Soft tissue tumors can be located in difficult-to-reach places or in areas that are close to important structures, like nerves, blood vessels, or organs. An open biopsy or excision might damage these critical structures, which can cause additional problems and complications.

Soft Tissue Tumors