Soft-tissue cancer

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Soft tissueA group of cells with a similar structure and a specialised function. lumps and bumps can appear in a variety of forms and types whether tumourous or non-tumourous, cancerousMalignant, a tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. or non-cancerous. Finding a lump can be a very worrying occurrence. This series of articles written by expert Surgical Oncologist, Dirk Strauss, outlines the different diagnosisThe process of determining which condition a patient may have. methods, treatments and prognosisAn assessment of the likely progress of a condition. for a wide variety of soft tissue tumours.

For an easy-to-navigate introduction see our soft tissue sarcoma guide.

Expert articles

Malignant soft tissue sarcomas

By Mr Dirk Strauss, Consultant Surgical Oncologist and General SurgeonContact
The Royal Marsden Hospital, The Lister Hospital

The most common symptom of a malignantDescribes a tumour resulting from uncontrolled cell division that can invade other tissues and may spread to distant parts of the body. soft tissueA group of cells with a similar structure and a specialised function. sarcomaCancer of the connective tissues. (cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body.) is a painless, gradually enlarging lump. The growth rate of sarcomas varies with the aggressiveness of the tumourAn abnormal swelling., low grade tumours can grow slowly while aggressive high grade tumours can develop and enlarge rapidly. Diagnosis relies on clinical examination, imaging, and laboratory analysis (histopathology of a biopsyThe removal of a small sample of cells or tissue so that it may be examined under a microscope. The term may also refer to the tissue sample itself.). In most cases the laboratory examination of a tumour specimen is required before treatment is started.

Soft tissue tumours - symptoms and diagnosis

By Mr Dirk Strauss, Consultant Surgical Oncologist and General SurgeonContact
The Royal Marsden Hospital, The Lister Hospital

Soft tissueA group of cells with a similar structure and a specialised function. tumours that appear as lumps and bumps are a diverse group of tumours that can be benignNot dangerous, usually applied to a tumour that is not malignant. (non-cancerousMalignant, a tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body.) or malignantDescribes a tumour resulting from uncontrolled cell division that can invade other tissues and may spread to distant parts of the body. (cancerous). Soft tissue is defined as the supportive or connective tissueA type of tissue made up of fibres forming a framework and support structure for body tissues and organs. of the body and includes fibrous connective tissue, bone, muscleTissue made up of cells that can contract to bring about movement., fatOne of the three main food constituents (with carbohydrate and protein), and the main form in which energy is stored in the body., bloodA fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid./lymphA watery or milky bodily fluid containing lymphocytes, proteins and fats. Lymph accumulates outside the blood vessels in the intercellular spaces of the body tiisues and is collected by the vessels of the lymphatic system. vessels and the nervous systemThe network of nerves, which are bundles of nerve fibres carrying information in the form of electrical impulses.. All lumps are usually referred to as tumours whether they are benign or malignant. Benign soft tissue tumours are relatively common in the general population. Benign tumours cannot spread to other parts of the body but they can continue to grow at the original site where they can cause a problem by pressing on the surrounding organs.

Benign soft tissue tumours and other lumps and bumps

By Mr Dirk Strauss, Consultant Surgical Oncologist and General SurgeonContact
The Royal Marsden Hospital, The Lister Hospital

Benign soft tissueA group of cells with a similar structure and a specialised function. tumours are lumps and bumps that are non-cancerousMalignant, a tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body.. Soft tissue is defined as the supportive or connective tissueA type of tissue made up of fibres forming a framework and support structure for body tissues and organs. of the body and includes fibrous connective tissue, bone, muscleTissue made up of cells that can contract to bring about movement., fatOne of the three main food constituents (with carbohydrate and protein), and the main form in which energy is stored in the body., bloodA fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid./lymphA watery or milky bodily fluid containing lymphocytes, proteins and fats. Lymph accumulates outside the blood vessels in the intercellular spaces of the body tiisues and is collected by the vessels of the lymphatic system. vessels and the nervous systemThe network of nerves, which are bundles of nerve fibres carrying information in the form of electrical impulses.. All lumps are usually referred to as tumours whether they are benignNot dangerous, usually applied to a tumour that is not malignant. or malignantDescribes a tumour resulting from uncontrolled cell division that can invade other tissues and may spread to distant parts of the body.. Benign soft tissue tumours are relatively common in the general population. Benign tumours cannot spread to other parts of the body but they can continue to grow at the original site where they can cause a problem by pressing on the surrounding organs. They can also be cosmetically unsightly. There are a number of different types of benign soft tissue tumour that I will explain in this article.

Recent news

Diagnosis of malignant soft tissue sarcomas

Total Health | December 14th, 2011

Sarcoma expert and Consultant Surgical Oncologist, Mr Dirk Strauss, describes the types and treatment of cancerousMalignant, a tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. soft tissueA group of cells with a similar structure and a specialised function. tumours, known as sarcomas. The most common symptom of a malignantDescribes a tumour resulting from uncontrolled cell division that can invade other tissues and may spread to distant parts of the body. soft tissue sarcoma is a painless, gradually enlarging lump. The growth rate of sarcomas varies according to how 'aggressive' the tumour is, low grade tumours can grow slowly while aggressive tumours can develop and enlarge rapidly. Diagnosis relies on clinical examination, imaging, and laboratory analysis (requiring a biopsyThe removal of a small sample of cells or tissue so that it may be examined under a microscope. The term may also refer to the tissue sample itself.).

JAK Boots – these cells were made for marching

Total Health | August 16th, 2011

The sad fact is that 90% of deaths caused by cancerAbnormal, uncontrolled cell division resulting in a malignant tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. occur following metastasisThe spread of a malignant tumour to other parts of the body.. Identifying the process that enables tumours to spread is therefore central to much current research.

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