In the soft tissues of our body, tumors occur quite often, but most of them are benign. Soft tissue sarcoma is a rare oncological disease, accounting for approximately 0.6% of the total number of malignant neoplasms. But the sarcoma is especially dangerous, as it develops very quickly.
Causes of development of soft tissue sarcoma
There are a lot of provoking factors, but first of all it is necessary to take into account the hereditary predisposition to cancer. It was also noted that sarcoma affects men more than women. The average age of patients is 40 years and fluctuates in both directions for about 10-12 years. Here are the most frequent reasons that lead to the growth of a malignant tumor in soft tissues:
- scarring;
- injuries;
- old burns;
- consequences of fractures and surgeries;
- radiation therapy ;
- congenital or newly acquired immunodeficiency;
- herpes virus and others.
Due to the fact that soft tissues (muscles, fat layer, clusters of vessels) are not closely related to the work of internal organs, the diagnosis is rather difficult. The tumor itself can be detected with the help of ultrasound, tomography, MRI and other methods, but to determine if it is a sarcoma will allow only a biopsy. In addition, in 90% of cases, the growth of any tumor in the first few months is completely asymptomatic. The main signs of soft tissue sarcoma are:
- a sharp decrease in body weight;
- anemia;
- general weakness;
- The palpation found is a densification, sometimes painful;
- in the late stages - an increase in the relief of the veins and redness of the skin.
Other symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma are associated with the presence of metastases. Often they spread with blood and affect the lungs, which causes shortness of breath, coughing, shortness of breath. Lymphatic mode of movement of cells of this type of cancer is extremely rare.
The most common form of this malignant neoplasm is the synovial soft tissue sarcoma. The name is associated with the location of the dislocation - the synovial membrane of the joints and other cartilaginous objects. Signs of this branch of the disease is also a decrease in the motor function of the joint and a sharp pain in physical activity.
Treatment of soft tissue sarcoma
The most effective way to treat sarcomas is surgical. If the sarcoma covers large arteries and veins, completely remove it is problematic, chemotherapy is additionally prescribed and radiotherapy can be performed. In the latter case, all pros and cons should be carefully weighed, since irradiation significantly increases the likelihood of recurrence. The more you manage to cut with a scalpel, the better will be the prognosis for soft tissue sarcoma.
On average, the survival rate for this disease is very low, 50-60% of all patients die within the first year after the tumor is detected. Another 20% of patients at risk of recurrence of the same type of tumor. To date, very
Especially hard is the treatment of patients with HIV infection, which constitute the lion's share of the total number of patients with sarcoma. If the detected tumor is characterized by low malignancy, it can be cut surgically and do not carry out subsequent chemotherapy, as it usually causes suppression of immunity and a decrease in vital function. If the soft tissue sarcoma is of a highly malignant type, any treatment will be ineffective due to the rapid growth of the tumor and metastasis.