Soft-tissue tumors
Soft-tissue tumors develop in the tissues around the bone —muscle, fat, vessels and nerves. As in bone, they can be benign, intermediate or malignant (sarcomas).
What are they?
Soft tissues include muscle, fat, tendons, blood vessels and nerves. A soft-tissue tumor is an abnormal growth in any of these tissues.
Most are benign and very common, but some are sarcomas and must be evaluated and treated at an experienced center before any surgery.
Three broad groups
Benign
Very common and unable to spread. Examples: lipoma (fat), schwannoma (nerve), hemangioma (vessels) and fibroma.
Intermediate
They grow locally and may come back, but do not usually metastasize. Examples: desmoid tumor (fibromatosis) and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.
Malignant
They need specialized treatment, usually surgery combined with radiotherapy and, in selected cases, chemotherapy.
Main soft-tissue sarcomas
There are many subtypes; these are some of the most common:
Liposarcoma
AdultsIt arises from fatty tissue. It is one of the most common soft-tissue sarcomas in adults.
Leiomyosarcoma
AdultsIt derives from smooth muscle, present in blood vessels and various organs.
Synovial sarcoma
Young adultsIt often affects the limbs, near the joints.
Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma
Older adultsOne of the most common sarcomas in this group, usually in the limbs.
Rhabdomyosarcoma
ChildrenIt derives from skeletal muscle; it is more common in childhood.
Warning signs
For any of these signs, a specialist evaluation before operating is advisable, to plan the biopsy and treatment correctly:
- A lump that grows, especially if it is larger than 5 cm.
- A deep mass, located beneath the muscle fascia.
- A mass that comes back after being removed.
Musculoskeletal tumor wiki
Browse patient fact sheets on benign, intermediate and sarcoma tumors, with epidemiology, features, treatment and prognosis.
Go to the wikiThis information is educational and does not replace a medical evaluation. Every case requires an individualized assessment and treatment.
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