The answer to how long someone can survive soft tissue sarcoma depends on a variety of factors, including the type and stage of the cancer, the patient’s age and overall health, the treatments received, and the response to treatment.
Generally, the survival rate for soft tissue sarcoma is between 50 and 70 percent. However, the stage of the cancer at diagnosis is the most important factor in determining the prognosis. The earlier the cancer is detected, the more likely it is that treatment will be successful.
For localized (early stage) soft tissue sarcoma, the 5-year survival rate is about 88 percent. If the soft tissue sarcoma has spread to other parts of the body (metastasized), the 5-year survival rate is much lower, between 10 and 40 percent.
In general, the younger the patient, the better the prognosis. The median survival time for patients with localized soft tissue sarcoma is about five years, although the survival rate is highly individualized. Some patients may live many years, while others may die within a few months.
The type of treatment a person receives is also an important factor in determining their prognosis. Surgery is the most common form of treatment for soft tissue sarcoma, and it can be highly effective. In some cases, chemotherapy or radiation may be used in addition to surgery.
In summary, the amount of time someone can survive soft tissue sarcoma depends on many factors, including the stage of the cancer, the patient’s age and health, the treatments received, and the response to treatment. Generally, the 5-year survival rate is between 50 and 70 percent, but this can vary significantly depending on the individual patient.