text: Soft tissue cancers | Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
  There are about 50 types of soft tissue cancers and each one is different from the other. The symptoms, diagnosis and treatment for soft tissue cancer will vary according to:
  where in the body it is and
  Usually there are no symptoms at the early stages of soft tissue cancer. The first sign you notice may be a small, painless lump. Over time, as this lump grows, it may become painful or sore. This will depend on where in the body the cancer is.
  Most people who show signs of a small and/or painful lump do not have soft tissue cancer.
  Only a doctor can tell if you have soft tissue cancer. If you have any of these symptoms for more than two weeks, you should see your GP (local family doctor).
  Placing you at the centre of our work, your specialist will determine where your cancer started (what type of cell) and what type of soft tissue cancer it is.
  To determine your condition, our experts will work with you and support you through a medical examination and other key tests such as:
  As the largest bone and soft tissue sarcoma service in Australia, we are dedicated to providing you with the best testing and treatment for bone cancer.
  Sarcomas are very complex and can grow in many places of the body. To provide you with the best treatment plan we need to make sure we diagnose the right type of soft tissue sarcoma.
  To do this we will first conduct various imaging tests to show the size and place of the cancer. Imaging tests include:
  x-rays (pictures taken to show body parts)
  Computerised Tomography (CT) scans (3-D x-ray pictures giving more information than a normal x-ray)
  Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans (using magnet machinery to take pictures of inside body parts)
  Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans (using a radioactive drug to show a picture of how your tissues and organs are working).
  Followiing the scans, we will perform a biopsy. A biopsy is vital to diagnose the right condition. A biopsy can be:
  a simple guided needle biopsy to aspirate (remove) some cells from the affected area
  a larger biopsy where a small piece of tissue is removed for laboratory testing. Testing the sample will show if cancer cells are present as well as help to pinpoint the exact type of sarcoma disease.
  Soft tissue cancer treatment will depend on:
  For most types of soft tissue cancer, surgery is the main treatment. It is used to remove the cancer, surrounding tissue and/or other infected areas such as lymph nodes.
  Additional treatments to surgery may involve:
  chemotherapy (anti-cancer drugs) to help shrink the cancer cells before surgery or to destroy the cancer cells after surgery.
  After effective treatment, patients will continue to see their specialist every three months. These visits are used to monitor your health and may include tests such as pathology, imaging (scans and x-rays) and biopsies. Your specialist will discuss the best follow-up plan for you.
  For more information about soft tissue cancers, their treatment and support for patients and families, download copies of the following resources: