Soft Tissue Masses

Soft Tissue Masses: Diagnosis and Surgery for Benign and

Cancerous Tumors (Sarcoma)
In this article:

 Basics of soft tissue masses

 Incidence and Acquisition
 Symptoms & Effects on Daily Life
 Risk Factors
 Prevention
 Diagnosis
 Treatment
 Additional Resources
 Research
 Summary of soft tissue masses

Basics of soft tissue masses

Soft tissue tumors are cell growths that emerge nearly anywhere in the body: in tendons,
muscles, ligaments, cartilage, nerves, blood vessels, fat, and other tissues. Patients commonly
refer to these masses as lumps or bumps.

See Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 illustrates the appearance of a patient who presented with a
benign soft tissue mass in the arm. Figure 2 illustrates the appearance of a sarcoma in the thigh.
Note the large size of the mass along with the overlying skin changes in Figure 2. Click the
images below to enlarge.
 Figure 1 Figure 2

Soft tissue tumors can be cancerous or benign. Benign masses are thought to occur 10 times
more frequently than cancerous growths (referred to medically as sarcomas). Generally these
growths are roughly round in shape, but they also can be or elliptical or elongated like a
sausage. Masses greater than 5 cm (2 inches) carry the highest risk of being malignant and
merit a medical evaluation.
They can feel firm or soft. Benign masses are more likely to be painful to the touch, such as
with an abscess. Benign tumors also tend to grow more slowly, and many are smaller than 5 cm
(2 inches) at their longest point.

Sarcomas (cancerous growths) more often are painless. Cancerous masses are more likely to
grow rapidly, and to have fingerlets or satellite lesions around them.

According to the National Cancer Institute, about 43 percent of sarcomas occur in arms and
legs; 34 percent occur in and around internal organs; 10 percent occur in the chest and back
region; and 13 percent occur in other locations.

The masses – benign or cancerous – come to clinical attention more quickly when they are
located in the arms and legs, as opposed to the chest or abdomen, because less room exists in
arms and legs for such masses to be mistaken for other bodily structures.
Immediate medical attention

A newly found soft tissue mass is rarely an emergent condition. Not all soft tissue masses
require surgery, and removal of a known benign tumor can be safely delayed. However, any
suspected (cancerous growth) should be worked-up and biopsied as soon as possible so further
treatment can be rendered.

Any newly discovered mass of unknown origin that is growing should be evaluated by a
specialist. Any sprain or hematoma (bruise) that lasts longer than six weeks merits additional
medical scrutiny for the possibility of sarcoma (cancerous growth).

Facts and myths

Depending on its location, a soft tissue mass often is initially misdiagnosed as a muscle sprain,
hematoma, or old trauma that will heal in time. Such misperceptions can contribute to delayed
diagnoses of soft tissue tumors – often as long as three to six months after the patient's initial
discovery of a bump or lump. Because the tissue masses often cause no pain, people tend to
think the bumps are not harmful.

Incidence and Acquisition

Incidence

Some 10,000 new soft tissue and bone sarcomas (cancerous growths) are diagnosed annually in
the United States. Benign soft tissue tumors are discovered at a significantly higher rate than
sarcomas.

Soft tissue tumors affect every segment of the population. However, sarcomas occur more often
in children and young adults, and men have a slightly higher rate of sarcoma than women.

Some sarcomas are more prevalent among specific populations. For example, synovial sarcoma
is more often found in young adults.
In the vast majority of cases, a soft tissue tumor is a spontaneous occurrence without a well-
defined cause.

Acquisition

Evidence suggests that some genetic disorders and mutations predispose people to benign and
cancerous soft tissue tumors. Exposure to radiation and environmental carcinogens has been
associated with soft tissue tumors. Kaposi’s sarcoma is an example of an infection-induced soft
tissue tumor –resulting from a type of herpes in patients who also have HIV.

Most people with a soft tissue tumor do not have a well-defined cause for their tumor. Lifestyle
factors, injury, and infection have not been consistently proven to cause soft tissue tumors in
the majority of cases.

Genetics
Rare genetic abnormalities and disorders can predispose people to benign and malignant soft
tissue tumors. For example, a gene linked to neurofibromatosis – nerve-sheath tumors – has
shown likelihood to become cancerous.

Conditions with similar symptoms

A hematoma, cyst from arthritis, or swelling from a sprain or strain might be confused with a
soft tissue tumor.

Causes

The cause of most soft tissue tumors is not known. Evidence suggests that some genetic
disorders and mutations predispose people to benign and cancerous soft tissue tumors.
Exposure to radiation has a strong association with the development of a sarcoma (cancerous
growth). There are weak associations of soft tissue tumors with exposure to environmental
carcinogens.
Effects

A soft tissue tumor grows, slowly or quickly, in the body, based on its etiology. Generally, soft
tissue tumors grow in a round orientation, though some can grow more oval or sausage-shaped.
Most such growths remain within borders of fascia tissue, though they can cross such
boundaries as they grow.

They can grow around bones, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and other structures, causing
compression or change in function of those structures.

Occasionally, a sarcoma (cancerous growth) can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body,
usually the lungs.

Symptoms & Effects on Daily Life

Initial symptoms
Soft tissue tumors offer little warning. They can emerge as a lump or bump slowly or quickly in
any part of the body.

The emergence of the mass itself is the most common symptom. It is usually round or oval in
its dimensions. It often is painless, causing notice or discomfort only in cases when it
compresses a nerve or irritates other tissue. A rapid rate of increase in size of a mass suggests
the possibility of malignancy.

Progression

Depending on the tumor’s etiology, it can grow quickly or slowly. Some soft tissue masses that
are initially benign can transform into malignancies. This is often heralded by an abrupt
increase in the size of a previously quiescent mass. Research suggests that a malignant mass
that emerges in an arm or leg is usually greater than 5 cm (2 inches) in size and deep-seated
(often in muscle).
Prognosis

Most soft tissue tumors emerge spontaneously. They merit attention because they could be
cancerous. A sprain or hematoma that lasts longer than six weeks merits additional medical
scrutiny for the possible presence of a soft tissue tumor.

The risk of recurrence is related to the type of tumor, the adequacy of initial surgical excision,
and the tumor’s location. Rarely, people are genetically predisposed to have soft tissue masses
(e.g., neurofibromatosis, in which tumors grow on nerves).

Lethality

Most soft-tissue tumors are benign. Large masses are more cause for worry. Patients who notice
a mass more than 5 cm (2 inches) at its longest point, or which is painful to the touch, should
consult a physician.
A soft-tissue sarcoma (cancerous growth) can be a lethal disease. For instance, synovial
sarcoma is an aggressive cancer that accounts for 7 percent to 10 percent of soft-tissue
sarcomas, and usually develops in the arms or legs of young adults. Research shows that as few
as 25 percent of those patients with disease that has metastasized, or spread, to other parts of the
body survive five years.

Pain

The majority of soft tissue masses are painless -- unless they are irritating a nerve nearby – and
this is a primary reason why many masses are not diagnosed until they have developed
significantly in size. Soft tissue masses may cause skin discoloration if blood flow increases to
the region or if veins are distended, but usually skin around the mass retains its normal color.

Debilitation
Prompt and accurate diagnosis is important to help avoid debilitating complications. Soft tissue
tumors often are not physically debilitating, at least initially, and this contributes to their ability
to grow undetected. Patients who notice a mass more than 5 cm (2 inches) at its longest point,
or which is painful to the touch, should consult a physician.

A sarcoma (cancerous growth) could result in amputation of an arm or leg or functional loss of
a limb. A benign tumor could, in some cases, be debilitating too. For example a soft tissue mass
deep in the pelvis could impede the function of an organ, such as the bowel, or interfere with
local nerves or blood flow.

Comfort

In some cases, a soft tissue tumor could cause a patient discomfort, especially if there is local
irritation of a nerve or blood vessel. A tumor on someone's foot could impede his or her ability
to wear shoes and walk comfortably. A mass pressing against the stomach could cause
discomfort with the patient's digestion, and similarly, a mass next to the rectum could cause
constipation.
Curability

Some of the 50 subtypes of sarcomas (cancerous growths) are curable with a combination of
surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. Other sarcomas are more aggressive and more
challenging to treat.

Fertility and pregnancy

In most cases, a soft tissue tumor in and of itself will not impede one’s ability to have children
or get pregnant. Sometimes, chemotherapy can interfere with the function of the ovaries or
testes. Therefore, any patient planning for a pregnancy should have a thorough discussion with
her medical oncologist.

Independence
The body has an amazing capacity to recover from many surgeries in which soft tissue masses
are removed. In many areas of the body, muscles are redundant and can compensate well for
removal of muscle or soft tissue. In some cases, however, a soft tissue tumor could affect a
patient's independence; for example, surgeons might have to remove a nerve to effectively
remove a sarcoma (cancerous growth), requiring a patient to wear a brace or follow a program
of physical therapy to regain full mobility. Sarcomas that result in amputation of a limb could
change a patient's independence dramatically. Thankfully, modern prosthetic devices have been
particularly successful for restoration of independence in the amputee population.

Mobility

Depending on its location, a soft tissue tumor could affect a patient's mobility. For example, a
tissue mass on a patient's foot or pressing against a patient's nerve could reduce mobility.
Similarly, surgeons might have to remove a nerve or muscle to effectively remove a sarcoma
(cancerous growth), which could compromise mobility.
Daily activities

A soft tissue tumor could inhibit or change a patient's ability to maintain daily work tasks or
activities. A tumor on a patient's finger or hand could impede typing, for instance; a tumor that
involves a nerve could cause a patient to reduce his or her activities because of pain or
functional deficit.

Energy

A soft tissue mass in and of itself usually does not cause fatigue or changes in metabolism. A
newly found mass may elicit patient anxiety which may lead to fatigue.

Chemotherapy treatment for a sarcoma (cancerous growth) could cause a patient fatigue, as
well.
Diet

Soft tissue tumors typically do not require changes in diet.

Relationships

A sarcoma (cancerous growth) or benign tissue mass may have implications for social
relationships. For example, a tissue mass that affects a patient's sexual function could affect
social relationships.

People who are diagnosed with soft tissue tumors are often anxious because of the presence of
their mass and need strong social support to help them through the diagnosis and possible
treatment. It is important to remember that treatment helps the majority of patients with these
tumors, enabling individuals to live full, active lives.
Other impacts

Nerve or muscle disability might result from a surgeon’s resecting of those tissues to remove a
tumor. Rarely, an amputation is needed to effectively treat a sarcoma (cancerous growth).
Research suggests that children have an easier time adjusting to an artificial limb than adults.

Communicability

Soft tissue tumors are not contagious.

Risk Factors
Lifestyle risk factors

Lifestyle and diet are not thought to play a role in the emergence of soft tissue tumors – benign
or cancerous.
Injury & trauma risk factors

Historically there have been many case associations between trauma and soft tissue masses, but
data does not support trauma as the cause of such masses. More likely is that the trauma drew
medical attention to the existing tissue mass.

One exception would be a ganglion cyst, a common, benign fluid-filled soft tissue mass that can
be caused by injury. A ganglion cyst might develop after a knee injury, for instance. Such cysts
usually move about more freely and are much softer than a sarcoma (cancerous growth).

Prevention

Soft tissue tumors cannot be prevented, per se, but any discovered mass of unknown etiology
that is growing should be evaluated by a specialist. Any sprain or hematoma that lasts longer
than six weeks merits additional medical scrutiny.
Anatomy

According to the National Cancer Institute, about 43 percent of sarcomas (cancerous growths)
occur in the arms and legs; 34 percent occur in and around internal organs; 10 percent occur in
the chest and back region; and 13 percent occur in other locations.

The masses – benign or cancerous – come to clinical attention more quickly when they are
located in the arms and legs, as opposed to the chest or abdomen, because less room exists in
arms and legs for such masses to be mistaken for other bodily structures.

Secondary effects

Depending on the tumor’s etiology and location, it can displace or compress nerves, blood
vessels, and other bodily structures, affecting their function.
Diagnosis

Patients presenting with soft tissue masses are evaluated and their clinical history taken.
Diagnostic tests might include X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission
tomography (PET) scan, computed tomography (CT) scan, bone scan, and angiogram.

See Figures 3 and 4 below. Figure 3 illustrates the appearance of a soft tissue mass on MRI.
This “fatty mass” in light color is a lipoma. Figure 4 illustrates the appearance of a sarcoma
(cancerous growth) in the back of a person’s thigh. Click the image to enlarge

With this information in hand, the physician would biopsy the mass to diagnose its etiology. If
a biopsy is needed, the surgeon who does the biopsy should be the person who will remove the
mass. If the mass is benign, often surgeons will remove it immediately, but it may not require
removal. If the mass is malignant, it likely will be treated with surgery, chemotherapy or
radiation (or a combination thereof).
Diagnostic tests

Patients presenting with soft tissue masses are evaluated and their clinical history taken.
Diagnostic tests might include X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission
tomography (PET) scan, computed tomography (CT) scan, bone scan, and angiogram.

See Figures 5 and 6 below. Figure 5 is the appearance of a soft tissue mass on the chest wall.
Figure 6 is a CT scan and was necessary to precisely localize the area of the mass. The mass
was found to arise from a rib.

These tests indicate the tissue mass’ orientation within and across surrounding structures, such
as nerves and bones, and the mass’ aggressiveness and any suggestion that it has metastasized,
or will.
Figure 3 Figure 4
 Figure 5
Figure 6
Effects of diagnosis tests

The imaging required to work-up a soft tissue tumor is fairly painless. If contrast is used for a
CT scan, then an intravenous line may be needed. Some people get claustrophobic in the MRI
scanner machine, and need medicine to prevent anxiety. A biopsy of a soft tissue tumor causes
minimal pain and discomfort.

Soft Tissue Masses: Your Health Care Team

Soft tissue masses can emerge anywhere in the body, and specialists cross the spectrum of
physician expertise. Orthopedic oncologists tend to perform resections from the arms and legs,
pelvis, spine and occasionally the chest wall; general surgical oncologists tend to operate when
tumors are located in the abdomen or pelvis. Otolaryngologists and/or neurosurgeons typically
perform surgery to remove head and neck tumors. Spinal specialists often assist with spinal
surgeries.

Soft Tissue Masses: Finding a doctor

Surgical care of soft tissue tumors should be performed in specialty centers well-practiced in
sarcoma (cancerous growth) surgeries. There is good evidence in the medical literature to
support this idea.

Surgeons remove some 40,000 soft tissue masses every year in the United States; 10,000 of
these are sarcomas – a relatively low number, compared with incidences of breast cancer or
prostate cancer, for example. Given this, relatively fewer surgeons in the United States
specialize in the care of soft tissue tumors, malignant or benign.

Patients should seek out a surgeon who has a high volume practice and much experience in
treating soft tissue tumors. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons or the
Musculoskeletal Tumor Society are reliable resources for identifying surgeons with the above-
mentioned qualifications.

Treatment
Upon diagnosis, a soft tissue mass can be observed or prepared for removal from the patient’s
body.

Benign fat tumors (lipoma), for example, can be observed, rather than removed, with a
recommendation of routine surveillance for the patient – an MRI every six to 12 months,
depending on the tumor’s location. Patients have lived for decades with slow-growing benign
tumors instead of having them removed immediately.

If a sarcoma (cancerous growth) is diagnosed, doctors recommend expeditious treatment

involving surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy or a combination thereof.

For any soft tissue tumor, the surgeon's goal is to remove all of the tumor. With cancerous
tumors, surgeons more aggressively remove surrounding tissue. But doing so may leave a
greater resulting soft-tissue defect for the patient, requiring the expertise of a reconstructive
surgeon to help fill or make the area more cosmetically appealing.
The challenge of surgery depends largely on the tumor's location. Proximity of blood vessels,
nerves and other vital tissues contribute to a surgery's technical difficulty. The tumor's size and
its etiology contribute to the length of the procedure and the surgeon's ability to remove all of
the tumor.

Self-management

Patients cannot treat soft tissue tumors. If a patient suspects a soft-tissue tumor, he or she could
take the initiative to schedule an appointment with a family doctor.

Health care team

Soft tissue masses can emerge anywhere in the body, and specialists cross the spectrum of
physician expertise. A fundamental principle of soft tissue tumor management is that the biopsy
and surgery be performed by the same individual. Orthopedic oncologists tend to perform
resections from the arms and legs, pelvis, spine and occasionally the chest wall; general
surgical oncologists tend to operate when tumors are oriented in the abdomen or pelvis.
Otolaryngologists and/or neurosurgeons typically perform surgery to remove head and neck
tumors. Spinal specialists often assist with spinal surgeries. Vascular surgeons may be
necessary if reconstruction of a an artery is necessary.

Pain and fatigue

Acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and, infrequently, narcotic pain

medicines may be used for relief from pain caused by soft tissue tumors.

Diet

Diet is not known to be able to beneficially treat a soft tissue tumor.

Exercise and therapy

Exercise, therapy, rest and posture changes are not known to help treat a soft tissue tumor.

Medications for soft tissue masses

Most of the times, medications are not called for in treating benign soft tissue masses. For
tissue masses diagnosed as sarcomas (cancerous growths), chemotherapy medications may be
used in treatment. Hormonal therapy or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine have been
used with varying results to treat desmoids (benign, locally aggressive fibrous tumors).

Surgery for Soft Tissue Masses

When performed by an experienced surgeon, excision/resection of a soft tissue mass is very

effective. Benign soft tissue tumors are treated with surgery alone. In cases of sarcoma
(cancerous growth), surgery often is indicated as the best potential resolution, often in concert
with chemotherapy and radiation treatment.
For a patient facing such surgery, a comprehensive clinical evaluation of the patient should
have been done one or two visits beforehand. Patients should educate themselves about surgical
options and risk, and their doctor's experience, in advance of surgery.

Many soft tissue resections require patients to stay overnight afterward, at least one or two days
and potentially longer, depending on the invasiveness of the procedure. Many patients have
drains inserted with surgery so edema fluid does not build up under the wound. Postoperatively,
hospital staff monitors the drainage as well as signs of infection and healing. Many patients
receive oral antibiotics to prevent infection, and receive pain medication orally or by IV for a
day or two after surgery.

Patients who have been treated with radiation before surgery are more vulnerable to infection
afterward, as radiation can affect the integrity of the skin, making wound healing more
problematic.
Patients may have residual discomfort from surgery, and take anti-inflammatory or pain
medication orally for a week or two afterward. Most patients can manage pain well after
surgery.

Depending on the location of surgery, patients may need to go therapy to fully recover to their
preoperative strength and activity level. Tumors that involve a major portion of muscle in the
lower leg, for example, could need weeks or months of a physical therapy program. Some
patients may require amputation of a limb if the soft tissue tumor cannot be safely removed
otherwise. Those patients could face a prolonged recovery.

Joint aspiration

Joint aspiration is the process of removing some fluid from the sore joint(s). It is not indicated
as a treatment for soft tissue tumors.

Splints or braces
In cases in which a tumor is excised from a leg and adversely affects musculature that enables a
patient to walk, the patient might benefit from use of a brace or splint in rehabilitation.

Alternative remedies

Some practitioners and patients suggest that yoga, acupuncture, and relaxation techniques may
be integrated with more traditional approaches to yield a more holistic healing.

Social impacts

Chemotherapy and radiation treatment for a sarcoma (cancerous growth) can have side effects
such as lethargy, hair loss and nausea that likely would impact a patient’s energy for social
interactions.
Removal of a large tumor also could leave a visible deficit, or sunken area, which might not
entirely be repairable by reconstructive surgery. Such a deficit might affect a patient’s outlook
or heighten a feeling of self-consciousness.

The diagnosis of a sarcoma involves long-term follow-up with a physician. Some patients need
to travel long distances to see their specialist. This may pose challenges to one’s personal life.

Long-term management

If not removed entirely by surgery, the growth of benign tumors should be monitored regularly
by the patient and every six months to a year by the physician.

In cases of sarcoma (cancerous growth), patients should have regular rechecks of their
condition to monitor whether the cancer has metastasized or recurred. Often tumors are treated
with weeks or months of radiation to combat their likelihood of recurrence. The risk of
recurrence is related to the type of tumor, the adequacy of initial surgical excision, and tumor
location.

Patients for whom safe removal of sarcoma necessitated amputation of a limb could face a
prolonged therapeutic recovery.

Unproven remedies

Naturopathic approaches for treatment of soft tissue tumors are largely unproven.

Strategies for coping

A sarcoma’s ability to go undetected in the body is troublesome, even after the growth is
discovered. Initially, the patient might struggle with not knowing whether a soft tissue tumor is
cancerous or benign. After surgery, a patient might feel emotionally exhausted from worry
about whether to anticipate recurrence of such a tumor.
A patient might take comfort in knowing that three of every four soft tissue masses discovered
are benign. Nevertheless, a majority of patients express fear and anxiety with the recognition of
such masses.

Patients who experience great anxiety in learning of a cancerous tumor, or learning of a benign
tumor in a dangerous location in the body, might seek help from family, friends, a mental health
professional, a hospital’s pastoral care group, or through nontraditional therapies such as reiki.

Asking for help

Cancer patients and their families should learn as much as they can about the disease.
Sometimes talking with a family member or friend can provide much needed emotional
support. Working with a counselor, psychologist, or social worker helps some people with
cancer to develop better coping skills.

Support groups have been a source of help for thousands of cancer patients.
Sarcoma Alliance, Sarcoma Foundation of America, and Northwest Sarcoma Foundation are a
few of the several organizations that offer support networks for patients coping with cancerous
soft tissue masses.

Work

Most people with a soft-tissue tumor can continue to work. Doctors and work supervisors
should be able to help people make any needed changes to relieve discomfort. This could
include adjusting a work area or reducing the amount of time spent doing particular tasks. An
occupation therapist can help find ways to modify activities or suggest tool modifications.

Family and friends

Children may feel angry, sad or self-conscious about having a tumor. Acceptance and settling
into a routine will benefit everyone in the family.
When parents are first told that their child has cancer, for example, they might feel shocked,
numbed, or disbelieving. They might also feel guilty, and ask themselves if something they did
or didn't do caused their child's condition.

The child with a tumor may feel "hurt" by an illness that isn't their fault, blame parents for the
illness, adopt a "why me?" attitude, engage in self-pity or become angry. They may resent other
children who are well, including brothers and sisters.

Other children might feel left out and resentful because of the amount of time and attention the
child with cancer requires. Or they may feel guilty, as if their normal "bad thoughts" towards
their brother or sister had somehow caused the illness.

Children might over-identify with the brother or sister with special needs. Some feel a pressure
to achieve or make up for what their brother or sister can no longer do. Others want to involve
themselves in care-giving – to the point where they give up their own normal activities. In these
cases, try to help siblings find other ways to deal with their feelings. Whenever possible,
brothers and sisters should be allowed to settle their own differences. Siblings should be
encouraged to talk with peers who live in homes with similar concerns. The key to dealing with
all these emotions is to talk about them with one another.

Children should be encouraged to learn as much as they can about cancer and their treatment
program. Older children can be responsible for taking medications on time, reporting any
medication side effects to you, and following an exercise program. This may help prepare them
for the change to adult health-care.

Children with cancer should not be overprotected. They might become too dependent if their
parents do everything for them or if the parents keep them from tasks they are capable of doing.
Parents should not be manipulated into allowing activities that shouldn't be done, but should
compromise when possible. Consistency will help children learn what is expected.

Parents should plan special time to spend alone with their spouse, or with the entire family.
When their child first becomes ill, they may set aside relationships with other family members.
It is important, however, to continue to talk and spend time with all family members.
Adaptive aids

Patients for whom safe removal of sarcoma (cancerous growth) left them less mobile might find
aid in crutches, braces, a cane, or a walker – or if a leg was amputated, in prostheses. A
wheelchair may be necessary short-term if walking ability has been affected or for elderly
patients who have difficulty walking. Wheelchairs may be required by some people. Special
reaching devices are available to ensure that patients can reach whatever they need.

Stress

Support from family, friends, or a support group often helps patients cope with stress related to
a soft tissue tumor. Sarcoma (cancerous growth) patients often find it helpful to speak to other
individuals who have been through treatment for this rare diagnosis. Sarcoma
Alliance, Sarcoma Foundation of America, and Northwest Sarcoma Foundation are among the
organizations that can put patients in touch with other sarcoma survivors.
 Additional Resources
 Seattle Cancer Care Alliance
 Cancer Lifeline in Seattle
 The Sarcoma Alliance
 The Northwest Sarcoma Foundation
 The Sarcoma Foundation of America

Research
Condition research

Benign tumors do not always require removal or further treatment. With cancerous tumors, a
significant volume of ongoing research studies treatment methods. Novel chemotherapy drugs
are being tested in multicenter clinical trials, and researchers are trying to identify molecular
targets for sarcomas (cancerous growths) – which may assist with designing drugs aimed at
curing this cancer. Metabolic imaging such as PET (Positron emission tomography) scanning is
opening avenues to assess tumor response to chemotherapy and to identify those tumors that are
most aggressive.

Pharmaceutical research

Many new drugs are being tested in clinical trials to treat soft tissue tumors. These trials take
time especially because sarcomas (cancerous growth) are rare. Much effort is being focused on
drugs to treat those patients with very advanced disease – disease that has metastasized.

Non-surgical research

Different types of radiation and methods for delivering radiation are being tested to determine
how to best treat soft tissue tumors.

Surgical research
 There is ongoing investigation about how to optimally treat soft tissue tumors from a surgical
perspective. Surgeons are trying to identify novel ways to maximize tumor control, without
compromising function or survival. The concept of what constitutes the optimal surgical margin
for specific tumor subtypes is currently under debate.

Summary of soft tissue masses

 Soft tissue masses are found to be benign in about three out of four instances. Such masses can
emerge in almost any site in the body.
 Delay in diagnosis of soft tissue tumors is common. A sprain or hematoma that lasts longer than
six weeks merits additional medical scrutiny for the possibility of soft tissue tumor.
 Surgical care of soft tissue tumors should be performed in a multidisciplinary specialist center.
 Any newly discovered tissue mass that is growing should be evaluated by a medical specialist.
Not all soft-tissue masses must be removed, but any should be suspected of cancerous potential
until proven otherwise.
 Many sarcomas (cancerous growths) go undetected until they are quite large, and therefore
become more difficult to treat.