The management of soft tissue sarcoma

Abstract

Soft tissue sarcomas are a rare group of mesenchymal tumours that display cardinal signs, which can raise suspicion to their diagnosis. Management in a sarcoma treatment centre by its multidisciplinary team has improved outcome. Good local disease control with limb salvage and adjuvant radiotherapy has considerably reduced the morbidity of previous limb amputation. By the early involvement of a plastic surgeon, tissue reconstruction is optimised and wound complications reduced. This article looks at the contemporary management of soft tissue sarcoma and, in particular, its relevance to the plastic surgeon today.