Multidisciplinary management of soft tissue sarcomas.
Musculoskeletal sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of malignant neoplasms derived from connective tissue. Sarcomas represent about 1% of cancer in adults. The annual incidence in adults in Europe is around 14,000 new cases of soft tissue sarcomas (STS) and 4,800 new cases of bone sarcomas. Musculoskeletal tumours arise anywhere in the body, although lower extremities are the most common site of appearance, followed by upper extremities, trunk, retroperitoneum and head and neck area. Adequate management of STS is a stimulating challenge for oncologists. The aim of treatment should be focused on four main aspects: improving survival, avoiding local recurrence, maximising organ function and, finally, minimising morbidity. Surgery, radiotherapy and, sometimes though increasingly, chemotherapy are the pillars on which rests the modern treatment of sarcomas. The optimal management of musculoskeletal tumour requires a multidisciplinary integration of these different approaches in treatment planning right from the initial diagnoses. Referring patients to qualified centres should be desirable to achieve the maximum probability of control and even cure for STS.
Luis
Ángel Montero
ÁM
FEA de Oncología Radioterápica, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain. angel.monteroluis@gmail.com
Aguilar
Damián Pérez
DP
Martín
José Antonio López
JA
D001706:Biopsy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*