Soft tissue sarcoma is a type of cancer that affects the soft tissues of the body, such as muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves, and tendons. Treatment options for this type of cancer vary depending on the type of sarcoma, where it is located in the body, and the stage of the cancer. While the prognosis for soft tissue sarcoma can be serious, many patients do survive the disease.
Survival Rates
Soft tissue sarcomas are generally considered to be rare cancers, and the survival rates have not been studied in depth. However, it is estimated that approximately 30-50% of patients survive the disease for five or more years. Survival rates vary depending on the type of sarcoma, the stage and grade of the cancer, and the patient's age and overall health.
Treatment Options
Treatment options for soft tissue sarcoma include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Surgery is typically the first treatment option, and may be used to remove the tumor, some surrounding tissue, and possibly some lymph nodes. Radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be used in addition to surgery if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy may be used in certain cases, depending on the type of sarcoma and the patient's overall health.
Outlook
The outlook for patients with soft tissue sarcoma varies depending on the type of sarcoma, the stage of the cancer, and the patient's age and overall health. In general, however, many patients do survive the disease for five or more years. It is important to speak with a doctor about the individual prognosis for a particular patient.