Multidisciplinary treatment of soft tissue sarcomas: An update

Abstract

Standard treatment for soft tissue sarcoma, based on complete surgical resection with or without adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy, has not substantially changed during the last several decades. Nevertheless, recent advances have contributed to considerable improvement in the management of these patients; for example, new magnetic resonance imaging sequences such as diffusion-weighted imaging and magnetic resonance imaging radiomics can better assess tumor extension and even estimate its grade. Detection of circulating genetic material (liquid biopsy) and next-generation sequencing are powerful techniques for genetic analysis, which will increase our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms and may reveal potential therapeutic targets. The role of chemotherapy in non-metastatic disease is still controversial, and there is a need to identify patients who really benefit from this treatment. Novel chemotherapeutic regimens have entered clinical praxis and can change the outcome of patients with metastatic disease. Advances in radiotherapy have helped decrease local adverse effects and sustain good local control of the disease. The following report provides an updated view of the diagnosis, treatment, and future perspectives on the management of patients with soft tissue sarcomas.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; Multidisciplinary treatment; Radiotherapy; Soft tissue sarcomas; Surgery; Targeted therapy; Update treatment.