Soft tissue sarcoma
Outlook for soft tissue sarcomas
The outlook for a soft tissue sarcoma mostly depends on the type of sarcoma it is, how likely it is to spread (the grade) and how far it has already spread (the stage) by the time it's diagnosed.
If it's detected at an early stage or is a low grade tumour and it can be removed during surgery, a cure is usually possible. However larger, higher grade tumours have a greater risk of coming back or spreading.
After initial treatment, you'll need regular check-ups to look for any signs the cancer has come back. You may also need physiotherapy and occupational therapy to help you manage any physical difficulties resulting from surgery.
A cure isn't usually possible if a soft tissue sarcoma is only detected when it has already spread to other parts of the body, although treatment can help slow the spread of the cancer and control your symptoms.
Want to know more?
- Cancer Research UK: soft tissue sarcomas
- Macmillan: soft tissue sarcomas
- Sarcoma UK: soft tissue sarcoma
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Find out what soft tissue sarcomas are, what symptoms they can cause and how they're treated.
Symptoms of soft tissue sarcomas
Soft tissue sarcomas often have no obvious symptoms in the early stages. They can cause symptoms as they get bigger or spread. The symptoms depend on where the cancer develops. For example: cancer
Types of soft tissue sarcoma
There are many different types of soft tissue sarcoma, depending on where in the body it develops. Examples include: leiomyosarcoma develops in muscle tissue liposarcoma develops in fat tissue an
Causes of soft tissue sarcomas
Cancer occurs when cells multiply uncontrollably, forming growths calledtumours. In the vast majority of soft tissue sarcomas it's unclear what causes this to happen, but there are a number ofthings
Diagnosing soft tissue sarcomas
If your GP feels there's a possibility youhave cancer, they'll refer you for a number of hospital tests. A diagnosis of a soft tissue sarcoma will usually be made by a hospital specialist and will be
Treatments for soft tissue sarcomas
People with a soft tissue sarcoma are cared for by a team of doctors and nurses at specialist centres, who will help decide on the most appropriate treatment. The best treatment depends on things suc
Outlook for soft tissue sarcomas
The outlook for a soft tissue sarcoma mostly depends on the type of sarcoma it is, how likely it is to spread (the grade) and how far it has already spread (the stage) by the time it's diagnosed. If
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