Soft tissue sarcoma


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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Illustration of soft tissue sarcoma Soft tissue sarcoma

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Soft tissue sarcomas are cancerous (malignant) tumors that originate in the soft tissues of your body. Soft tissues connect, support and surround other body structures. The soft tissues include muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves, tendons and the lining of your joints (synovial tissues). A large variety of soft tissue sarcomas can occur in these areas.

Soft tissue sarcomas aren't common. But soft tissue sarcomas are very serious, especially if diagnosed when the disease is more advanced.

Although there are various types of soft tissue sarcoma, they generally share similar characteristics, produce similar symptoms and are treated in similar ways.

Symptoms
References
  1. DeLaney TF. Overview of soft tissue sarcoma. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 21, 2011.
  2. Sinha S, et al. Diagnosis and management of soft tissue sarcoma. British Medical Journal. 2011;342:157.
  3. Detailed guide: Sarcoma — Adult soft tissue cancer. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/cid/documents/webcontent/003138-pdf.pdf. Accessed July 21, 2011.
  4. Soft tissue sarcomas. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00508. Accessed July 21, 2011.
  5. Lahat G, et al. Sarcoma epidemiology and etiology: Potential environmental and genetic factors. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2008;88:451.
  6. Kenney RJ, et al. Soft tissue sarcomas: Current management and future directions. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2009;89:235.
  7. Thornton K. Chemotherapeutic management of soft tissue sarcoma. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2008;88:647.
  8. Moynihan TJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 31, 2011.
DS00601 Sept. 13, 2011

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