Key result
Soft tissue sarcomas are rare tumors representing 0.8% of new cancers in the United States, most frequently presenting as asymptomatic masses in the extremities.
Soft tissue sarcomas are rare tumors that most frequently present as asymptomatic masses in the extremities.
Raises suspicion for sarcoma in asymptomatic extremity masses; leaves open optimal diagnostic pathways for these rare tumors.
Sarcomas are rare tumors, representing only 0.8% of new cancers in the United States. Seventy-six percent arise in soft tissue, with the remainder arising in bone (1). The most common soft tissue type is malignant fibrous histiosarcoma, although this has fallen out of favor recently as a distinct histologic entity (2, 3). Multiple types of soft tissue sarcomas are defined based on the tissue of origin (Table (Table11). Of those occurring in the soft tissue, most present in the extremities. The relative overall frequency of locations are thigh, buttock, and groin, 46%; torso, 18%; upper extremity, 13%; retroperitoneal, 13%; and head and neck, 9% (1). The most frequent presentation is as an asymptomatic mass. These tumors can present late, especially in the thigh or pelvic regions (3). Table 1 Histologic classification of soft tissue sarcomas∗
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Steen et al. (2008) conducted a review in Soft tissue sarcoma. Soft tissue sarcomas are rare tumors representing 0.8% of new cancers in the United States, most frequently presenting as asymptomatic masses in the extremities.
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