Dr. Francisco Bengoa
EN
Back to the wiki

Soft-tissue tumors

Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma

Soft tissueMalignant / sarcomaTumours of uncertain differentiation

Epidemiology

One of the most common high-grade sarcomas in older adults, especially in the limbs. It is a diagnosis of exclusion: expert pathology and immunohistochemistry help rule out sarcomas with a specific line of differentiation.

Basic features

A deep, growing, high-grade mass; it was formerly known as malignant fibrous histiocytoma.

Usual treatment

Surgery with margins and radiotherapy; chemotherapy is decided based on size, grade, location, and general condition. Before chemotherapy starts it is worth discussing fertility preservation with the team, because some of these treatments can affect it and the options have to be raised beforehand.

Outcomes and prognosis

The prognosis depends on the size, the grade, and the depth. It carries a meaningful risk of local recurrence and of lung metastasis; detecting a relapse early at follow-up improves the treatment options.

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.

Book an appointment