Dr. Francisco Bengoa
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Soft-tissue tumors

Myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma

Soft tissueIntermediate / locally aggressive or rarely metastasizingFibroblastic / myofibroblastic tumours

Epidemiology

An uncommon low-grade sarcoma, typically found in the hands, feet, and distal parts of the limbs in adults. In the hands and feet it can be confused with chronic inflammatory lesions, especially if it grows slowly and causes little pain.

Basic features

It may look inflammatory or cyst-like and grow slowly, which can delay the diagnosis if it is not biopsied. It often shows alterations of the TGFBR3 and OGA (formerly MGEA5) genes, which help to confirm it.

Usual treatment

Wide or carefully planned resection aims to achieve clear margins without sacrificing function unnecessarily.

Outcomes and prognosis

Local recurrence is the main concern and is common; spread to distant sites (metastasis) is uncommon but possible.

Warning signs

These signs do not necessarily mean cancer, but they warrant evaluation before operating on or needling a mass.

  • A soft-tissue mass that grows, is larger than 5 cm, or is deep.
  • Persistent, night-time or progressive bone pain, especially if it limits activity.
  • A fracture from minimal trauma, or an aggressive bone lesion on an X-ray.
  • A lump that comes back after previous surgery.
  • Neurological symptoms, rapid swelling, or pain associated with a mass.

This information is general and does not replace a medical evaluation. A musculoskeletal tumor must be interpreted together with imaging, physical examination, biopsy when appropriate and each patient's context.

Specialist evaluation

If you have a mass, a bone lesion or a report suggesting a tumor, book an evaluation.

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