Understanding Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Treatment and Follow-Up Care

Описание: Hello, I’m Dr. Nishit P. Gupta, a surgeon in musculoskeletal oncology at Narayana Hospital. Today’s video is about soft tissue sarcoma, a type of cancer that develops in the soft tissues such as muscles, tendons, and fat.

Key Points About Soft Tissue Sarcoma:
Treatment Options: The main treatments for soft tissue sarcoma are surgery and radiation therapy.
Pre-Treatment Assessment: Before starting treatment, it's crucial to determine if the cancer has spread (called metastasis status) and whether surgery can be performed to remove the tumor. If the cancer is larger than 5 cm, radiotherapy may be used.
Surgical Plan:
Surgical Removal: If the cancer can be removed surgically, the goal is to completely excise the tumor. In some cases, plastic surgery may be required for reconstruction.
Radiation Therapy: Depending on the location and size of the cancer, radiation may be given either before or after surgery.
Post-Surgery Care and Follow-Up:
Cancer Recurrence: Soft tissue sarcoma has a chance to return, with about 40-50% of cases recurring. Follow-up care is essential:
First 2 years: Check-ups every 4 months, including lung screenings and monitoring the surgical site.
2-5 years: Check-ups every 6 months.
After 5 years: Annual check-ups.
Regular check-ups are recommended for 10 years to monitor for recurrence and ensure the patient is cancer-free.