Management of soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities is best carried out by a multidisciplinary team using surgery, with radiation in select cases and chemotherapy for high-risk patients.
Soft tissue sarcomas are a diverse and rare group of neoplasms often found in the extremities. Treatment is best carried out in regional cancer centers by a multidisciplinary group with a common interest in these disorders. Treatment is usually surgical, with radiation used in select cases to try to reduce the risk of local recurrence. The role of chemotherapy is controversial, but it may be useful in patients at highest risk of developing metastatic disease. The development of newer forms of targeted systemic therapy and techniques to reduce the morbidity from local treatment to the extremity are areas of intense research interest.
Clarkson et al. (2004) conducted a review in Soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities. Multidisciplinary management (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy) was evaluated. Management of soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities is best carried out by a multidisciplinary team using surgery, with radiation in select cases and chemotherapy for high-risk patients.