Soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities

Blake A. Morrison, MD

From the Department of Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.

Presented at surgical grand rounds, Baylor University Medical Center, January 15, 2003.

Corresponding author: Blake A. Morrison, MD, Department of Surgery, Baylor University Medical Center, 3500 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75246.

Soft tissue sarcomas are a diverse group of neoplasms that arise in the connective tissues throughout the body. They account for approximately 1% of adult malignancies and 7% to 15% of pediatric malignancies. About 50% to 60% of sarcomas occur in the extremities, and although they are rare, they are responsible for more deaths than testicular cancer, Hodgkin's disease, and thyroid cancer combined. These tumors are notorious for recurring and metastasizing—often with devastating results—despite apparently complete resection.

This article reviews the incidence, classification and grading, staging, etiology, diagnosis, surgical treatment, adjuvant tratment, and outcome of soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities.