As of: February 3, 2024, 3:00 p.m
By: Jasmina Deshmeh
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Anyone who observes possible symptoms of a soft tissue tumor should go to the doctor quickly.
The earlier the diagnosis, the greater the chances of recovery.
Soft tissue tumors can occur in almost any area of the body and are usually benign.
Malignant tumors, so-called soft tissue sarcomas, rarely develop.
Soft tissue cancer accounts for around two percent of all new cancer cases in adults in Germany, making it a rare type of cancer.
Cancer is slightly more common in children, at seven to ten percent.
Men are more often affected by soft tissue cancer than women and the prognosis is rather poor.
Read everything about symptoms, Diganosis and treatment.
Soft tissue cancer – these are the symptoms
Soft tissue sarcomas can occur in the muscles and connective tissue (symbolic picture).
© Pond5 Images/Imago
“Soft tissue sarcoma” is a collective term for around 50 different types of cancer, as the
German Cancer Society
informs.
They can occur almost anywhere in human soft tissue, specifically in:
fatty tissue
connective tissue
Nervous tissue
or in the muscles
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Soft tissue cancer in adults most commonly occurs in the leg (around 40 percent of cases), followed by the trunk, arms and head and neck area.
In children, the trunk, arms and legs are usually affected, although malignant soft tissue tumors occur primarily in the muscles.
The first sign is swelling.
If it occurs in conjunction with other symptoms, it could be caused by a soft tissue tumor:
the swelling gets larger within weeks to months
the place hurts
the muscles in your arms or legs are swollen
the swollen area is larger than five cm
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Age is also a risk factor for cancer.
People over 50 should therefore be particularly careful about possible symptoms.
The same applies to people who smoke and drink alcohol regularly.
People who are overweight also have an increased risk of cancer.
This is how soft tissue cancer is diagnosed
Anyone who observes possible signs of soft tissue cancer should see a doctor.
As with other types of cancer, it is important to detect a soft tissue tumor early: the earlier the diagnosis, the higher the chance of effective therapy and cure, informs the
Swiss Cancer League
.
First, the doctor feels the affected area as well as lymph nodes and, if necessary, other organs.
Part of the tissue always has to be removed for the diagnosis.
Such so-called biopsies are carried out in special sarcoma centers.
Doctors can also use ultrasound, X-rays, CT and MRI to check whether the soft tissue cancer has already spread.
These imaging procedures are also important for soft tissue cancer in the abdomen or pelvis.
Because there it usually does not cause any specific symptoms and is only recognized late.
This is how soft tissue cancer can be treated
Since sarcomas are complex and rare diseases, they belong in the hands of specialists at a sarcoma center.
Individual treatment plans are created there.
The most important treatment step for soft tissue cancer is surgery, in which surgeons remove the tumor as completely as possible.
In addition, radiation therapy and treatment with medications (chemotherapies) can be carried out.
The therapy steps can take place in parallel or one after the other, depending on the stage of the soft tissue cancer.
If the disease has progressed to such an extent that a cure is no longer possible, palliative treatment begins.
It can improve quality of life and relieve pain.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. It in no way replaces a visit to the doctor. Our editorial team is not allowed to answer individual questions about medical conditions.