Soft tissue sarcoma

Soft tissue sarcoma refers to the number of malignant tumors. For it is characteristic of the weak identifying the symptoms. This disease can be called rare. Soft tissue tumors of this kind have a share in 1% of the total malignancies. According to statistics, is the place to be 1 disease 1 million people. Men are more likely, but the form of disease and in women and men the same. As a rule, the disease are exposed faces 30 to 60 years. It is characterized by high mortality.

How it looks and where is located?

Soft tissue sarcoma can occur anywhere where there is soft tissue, namely muscle, adipose tissue, tendon. But in most cases is lower extremity or hip. Its possible localization and on the upper extremities, and head. Such a tumor has a white or yellowish color, smooth surface and looks like a rounded node. To the touch can be hard, soft and jelly-like. Typically, the tumor occurs in one number, but in some cases there are multiple lesions, which are located at a great distance.

Who is susceptible to the disease in the first place?

First and foremost, the risk of developing a sarcoma is present in those people who have genetic disorders such as the syndrome of basal cell nessov, tuberous sclerosis, intestinal polyposis syndrome or Werner Gardner.

Features and signs of soft tissue sarcoma

The main symptom is the appearance of small bumps (nodes) and limitations in mobility education. Its sizes range from 2 cm to 25. The skin is generally not mutated, but may be a mesh of varicose veins and ulceration of the skin. In some cases, this swelling may be the only sign. If the tumor is located deep in the tissues, then for a long time, it may not be noticeable. Then, the main parameters are considered pain and swelling of the limbs. Late signs are staining the skin in crimson color, varicose veins, bleeding.

Features.

1. Tumor cells tend to spread, so when removed, there is often recurrence of sarcoma.

2. Sources of sarcoma many, and the process of prevalence underestimated, which prevents surgical intervention.

3. It is characterized by hematogenous metastasis (into the lungs up to 80%).

The process of development and occurrence of soft-tissue sarcomas

The speed and pace of its growth is different. Sometimes it is characterized by prolonged passage without complications, and in some cases, growth occurs quickly and is accompanied by pain, impairment of limbs. If the development is slow, then the growth rate can be changed only upwards. The opposite does not happen.

As soon as the tumor enlarges, it begins to spread to blood vessels, bones, nerves and joint capsules. This leads to intense pain, which are not always amenable to pain relievers. As a rule, severe pain concerned about in the night and in the process exercise.

Causes of soft tissue sarcoma

Its development affected by many factors. The most obvious causes of soft tissue sarcoma, following.

1. Sarcoma may develop at the site of formation of scars, which became an unpleasant consequence of a fracture, surgery, a burn.

2. Radiation therapy can stimulate its development. Sarcoma sometimes develops in the area of treatment.

3. Viruses.

4. Congenital immunodeficiency or acquired.

5. Genetics or genetic predisposition.

Few people give due attention to sudden swellings and tumors, believing that everything goes by itself. It is this attitude provokes a speedy development process and serious consequences, even fatal outcomes.

Very often the tumordetected randomly. As soon as there was the slightest suspicion, it is necessary to make a diagnosis and if positive, start treatment.

Varieties of soft tissue sarcomas

Types much. This angiosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, extraskeletal osteosarcoma, malignant schwannoma, malignant mesenchymal, synovial sarcoma of the soft tissues and so on.

According to the degree of malignancy are the following types.

1. With a low level.

2. With a high degree.

The first option requires a high differentiation of cells, poor tumor vascularization, a large amount of stroma and a small amount of necrosis in the tumor.

The second variant is characterized by the opposite properties. This low differentiation of the cells, a small amount of stroma and large foci of necrosis in the tumor.

There is Kaposi's sarcoma. It is a malignant tumor that originates from blood vessels (and lymph). It is located in the skin. Cause is herpes virus type 8. And due to the lack of immunity sarcoma begins to develop. Stands 4 of the type of the disease.

1. Idiopathic type. He's a classic. Predominantly affects men. Located in the lower part of the body, but in the process of development goes up. This type is characterized by a burning sensation, fever, itching and pain. Occurrence of the disease can be acute, chronic, and subacute. Chronic not so strongly expressed, in contrast to the other two. If the period of the disease the person touches another accompanying disease, the outcome can be fatal.

2. Iatrogenic type. May occur after organ transplantation, and subsequently sharply to pass. And here it may be fatal if skin manifestations will begin to actively proliferate.

3. AIDS-related characteristic of those who are infected with AIDS. If left untreated, the disease will strike the lungs, stomach, due to parallel diseases of the organs will cause death.

4. African type. Often found in Central Africa. Can occur as idiopathic type, in the chronic form, and is lightning fast, which is typical for children. Affects the lymph nodes and after 3 months, death occurs.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma is by biopsy. The only way the diagnosis is correct.
Ultrasound, positron emission, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, radiography, angiography, refers to the means of medical imaging, helping to determine the location of the tumor and presence of metastasis.

Test is conducted by specialist methods of medical imaging and biopsy examines tissue of the tumor. The choice of diagnostics is carried out individually, according to each case, but the most popular and informative is considered magnetic resonance imaging.

Biopsy is performed in several ways, therefore, there are two species.

1. Incision.

2. Needle.

The first is performed through an incision, i.e., it is open. Biopsy effective and widely used.

Treatment and results

In General, treatment for soft tissue sarcoma is surgical in nature. If the operation is not possible, then you can use chemotherapy or radiation therapy. But they are not as effective individually. Only together will give a significant result.

Operation – the method of radical, but effective. It depends on how widespread the tumor is. Standard surgery involves a wide incision of the affected tissue. Intermuscular tumor was removed together with adjacent muscle. But if the tumor has invaded the bone, nerves and great vessels, is often performed amputation of a limb.

Radiation therapyacts as a Supplement. It reduces the risk of recurrence. Radiation therapy is performed before surgery and after. In the last few years the use of chemotherapy. It allows you to reduce the risk of subsequent appearance of sarcoma.

In General, the result depends on the severity and the extent of the tumor. In one case required prolonged treatment and the other does not imply a serious interference.

Soft tissue sarcoma is a rare but very dangerous disease. Often its symptoms are not paying attention. Therefore, this leads to severe consequences. The timely diagnosis and treatment will help to avoid unpleasant outcomes.