Soft Tissue Sarcoma (STS) is a rare group of cancers that arise from the body’s soft tissues, including muscles, fat, nerves, blood vessels, tendons, and connective tissues. These tumors can occur anywhere in the body but are most commonly found in the arms, legs, chest, abdomen, and retroperitoneum.

At I D Cancer Center, Lucknow, we offer advanced diagnostic imaging, expert pathology evaluation, modern radiotherapy techniques, and personalized treatment plans for all types of soft tissue sarcomas.

What Is Soft Tissue Sarcoma?

Common subtypes include:

• Liposarcoma

• Leiomyosarcoma

• Synovial sarcoma

• Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS)

• Rhabdomyosarcoma

• Fibrosarcoma

• Angiosarcoma

• Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)

Risk Factors

Soft tissue sarcoma can occur in anyone, but certain factors increase risk:

• Previous radiation exposure

• Genetic conditions (Li-Fraumeni syndrome, NF1)

• Exposure to chemicals (vinyl chloride, arsenic)

• Chronic swelling or lymphedema

• Family history of sarcoma

• Older age (though some types affect children)

Common Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the location of the tumor.

Early Symptoms

• Painless lump or swelling

• Gradually increasing mass

• Lump deep in muscle or soft tissue

Advanced Symptoms

• Pain in the affected area

• Difficulty moving limb or joint

• Numbness or tingling due to nerve compression

• Unexplained weight loss

• Abdominal discomfort (for retroperitoneal tumors)

Any lump growing over weeks to months should be evaluated by a specialist.

How Soft Tissue Sarcoma is Diagnosed at I D Cancer Center

Accurate diagnosis requires specialized imaging and pathology to determine the exact tumor type and stage.

Diagnostic Tests

• MRI scan – Best for limb & soft tissue evaluation

• CT scan / CT abdomen – For abdominal or retroperitoneal tumors

• Ultrasound – Initial evaluation

• Core needle biopsy – Gold standard for diagnosis

• PET-CT – Assess spread and activity

• Histopathology & immunohistochemistry – Determines tumor subtype

We follow international sarcoma guidelines to ensure precise diagnosis.

Treatment Options at I D Cancer Center

1. Surgery (Primary Treatment for Most Sarcomas)

Goal: complete removal of tumor with safe margins.

• Wide local excision

• Limb-sparing surgery (preferred)

• Reconstructive surgeries if needed

• Avoiding amputation whenever possible

Early diagnosis increases the chance of complete, limb-preserving removal.

2. Radiotherapy

Radiotherapy plays a major role in soft tissue sarcoma management.

At I D Cancer Center, we use advanced technologies:

• IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy)

• VMAT / Arc Therapy

• IGRT (Image-Guided Radiotherapy)

• Adaptive Radiotherapy

• SRS/SBRT (for selected metastatic sites)

Radiotherapy may be used:

• Before surgery (neoadjuvant) – shrink tumor

• After surgery (adjuvant) – prevent recurrence

• For inoperable tumors

• For metastatic or palliative treatment

Benefits include better local control and reduced recurrence.

3. Chemotherapy

Used for:

• High-grade sarcomas

• Metastatic disease

• Pediatric sarcomas (e.g., rhabdomyosarcoma)

• Tumors sensitive to specific drugs

4. Targeted Therapy

Certain sarcomas respond to targeted drugs:

• Imatinib (GIST)

• Pazopanib

• Trabectedin

• Regorafenib

• Tazemetostat (specific subtypes)

These drugs precisely attack molecular pathways in cancer cells.

5. Immunotherapy

Emerging role in select sarcoma types:

• Pembrolizumab

• Nivolumab

• Clinical trial-based therapies

Prognosis

Outcome depends on:

• Tumor size

• Grade

• Location

• Response to treatment

• Presence of metastasis

Early detection significantly improves survival and limb preservation outcomes.

Why Choose I D Cancer Center for Soft Tissue Sarcoma Treatment?

• Advanced MRI, CT, PET-CT imaging

• Expertise in rare sarcoma management

• Precision radiotherapy (IMRT/VMAT/IGRT)

• Multidisciplinary tumor board

• Limb-sparing surgical approaches

• Personalized chemotherapy & targeted therapy

• Compassionate, patient-centered care

When to Consult an Oncologist?

Seek evaluation if you notice:

• A lump growing over weeks/months

• Painful swelling

• Limitation of movement

• Recurrent or persistent mass after previous surgery

Early diagnosis improves outcomes and prevents complications.