The information on this website is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your physician for health concerns.

+90 850 321 50 00

Sarcomas: General Approach

Diagnostic principles and treatment framework for soft tissue and bone sarcomas

Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board
Last updated:

This content has been compiled by the Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board and is periodically reviewed by a specialist physician.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You can book an appointment at our Onkoloji department. Book Appointment →

What is Sarcomas: General Approach?

Soft tissue and bone sarcomas account for about one percent of adult cancers but include more than seventy histologic subtypes with distinct biology. Recognition of red flags such as a soft tissue mass larger than five centimeters, deep location, rapid growth, or persistent bone pain prompts urgent evaluation.

Initial work-up includes magnetic resonance imaging of the primary lesion, staging chest computed tomography, and image-guided core biopsy oriented to allow future limb-salvage surgery. Sarcoma-specialized pathology with molecular testing improves diagnostic accuracy because immunohistochemistry alone is often insufficient.

Treatment is histology, grade, and stage specific and combines wide surgical excision with adjuvant or neoadjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy in selected cases. Survivorship care, rehabilitation, and surveillance for recurrence and second tumors are integral to long-term management.

Symptoms

Painless soft tissue mass larger than five centimeters
Deep mass beneath fascia
Persistent bone pain at night or rest
Pathologic fracture in young adult
Rapidly enlarging or recurrent mass

Risk Factors

Prior radiation therapy
Genetic syndromes such as Li-Fraumeni or hereditary retinoblastoma
Neurofibromatosis with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor
Chronic lymphedema with angiosarcoma risk
Chemical exposure in selected histologies

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

  • When a mass exceeds five centimeters
  • When deep masses grow quickly
  • When bone pain persists despite simple measures
  • When biopsy is needed to confirm diagnosis
  • When tertiary referral is being considered

Treatment Methods

01
Magnetic resonance imaging of primary tumor
02
Image-guided core biopsy at sarcoma center
03
Wide surgical excision with negative margins
04
Neoadjuvant or adjuvant radiotherapy
05
Histology-directed chemotherapy regimens
06
Rehabilitation and prosthetic services
07
Long-term surveillance and survivorship care

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Onkoloji department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

Learn About Onkoloji Department

Let us help you

You can make an appointment with our specialists or contact us for your concerns.

Book AppointmentContact Us

Related Health Topics

Other articles from the same department you may want to explore.

Anaemia

Dahiliye (İç Hastalıkları)

Anaemia is a low haemoglobin level that reduces oxygen delivery, causing fatigue, pallor, and shortness of breath. It is not a disease itself but a sign of many underlying conditions. Most cases are correctable with appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Iron Deficiency Anaemia

Dahiliye (İç Hastalıkları)

Iron deficiency anaemia develops when dietary intake, absorption, or losses create an iron shortfall, most often affecting women and children. Identifying the underlying cause is the core of management, alongside iron replacement.

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Dahiliye (İç Hastalıkları)

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause megaloblastic anaemia, neurological symptoms, and cognitive impairment. Early treatment with intramuscular or oral B12 largely prevents irreversible complications.

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Management

Dahiliye (İç Hastalıkları)

Hypertension is often called the silent killer because it progresses symptom-free for years and can damage the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. Regular monitoring, lifestyle change, and evidence-based drug therapy dramatically reduce cardiovascular risk.

Chronic Kidney Disease

Dahiliye (İç Hastalıkları)

Chronic kidney disease is one of the most common complications of chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, and can be silent in its early stages.

Hepatitis B (HBV)

Dahiliye (İç Hastalıkları)

Hepatitis B is a DNA virus infection causing acute and chronic hepatitis with risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma; diagnosis integrates HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBc, and HBV DNA with management based on disease phase using nucleos(t)ide analogues (entecavir, tenofovir) and universal infant vaccination.

Hepatitis C (HCV)

Dahiliye (İç Hastalıkları)

Hepatitis C is an RNA virus causing chronic hepatitis that may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma; modern direct-acting antiviral (DAA) pangenotypic regimens (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir) achieve sustained virologic response over 95% in 8–12 weeks with universal adult screening and cure for nearly all patients.

Fatty Liver Disease

Dahiliye (İç Hastalıkları)

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely related to obesity and metabolic syndrome and is largely reversible with early treatment.

Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.