Adult Soft-Tissue Sarcomas of the Extremities

➤ Soft-tissue sarcomas (STS) in adults comprise a heterogeneous group of tumors of mesenchymal origin that share similar biological patterns of local tumor growth and metastatic dissemination. ➤ The judicious use of imaging studies, biopsy techniques, and pathological evaluations is essential for accurate diagnosis and for planning treatment strategy. ➤ Wide local resection and radiation therapy form the cornerstone of management of high-grade STS. The role of adjuvant radiation therapy is questionable in the management of small (≤5 cm) superficial lesions that can be resected with negative margins. Chemotherapy given to patients who have nonmetastatic, high-grade STS results in varying benefit in terms of local tumor control and overall survival. ➤ Coordinated care by a multidisciplinary team of trained surgeons, medical oncologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, and pathologists has been documented to improve local tumor control and the overall survival of patients with STS. ➤ Although considerable progress in tumor diagnostics and targeted therapies has been made over the past 2 decades, recommendations and controversies relating to tumor imaging and margins of resection have not changed.