4 Steps to Take If Skin Cancer Runs in Your Family
Having a relative diagnosed with skin cancer like melanoma can naturally be concerning. Read on to learn more about how that affects your risk and the steps you can take to protect yourself.
Treatment Options for Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Some types of cancer — like breast, colon, skin, and lung — get a lot of attention, while others receive far less press.
You may not have heard of soft tissue sarcoma, for example, despite the fact it strikes over 13,000 people in the United States each year and can be serious depending on the type and how far it has spread. The good news is there are various treatment options available.
At his private practice in Santa Monica, California, Dr. Trevan Fischer uses innovative surgical techniques in procedures that range from minimally invasive to highly complex. Whether the issue is cancer of the breast or skin or a soft tissue sarcoma, his detailed knowledge of cancer and its treatments ensure the proper diagnosis and care plan.
Soft tissue sarcoma
Unlike many types of cancer that are specific to a particular location, soft tissue sarcomas come in over 100 subtypes and can affect a wide variety of tissues that support structures of the body. These include muscle, nerves, fat, blood vessels, skin tissue, and fibrous tissue.
Soft tissue sarcomas often begin in the arms, legs, or abdomen, though they can also appear elsewhere. Some types occur in children, while others are found in adults.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis can be challenging due to soft tissue sarcomas sometimes being mistaken for other kinds of growths. In addition to a physical exam, an evaluation may include X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans.
A biopsy may also be done to determine the kind of cancer and how aggressive it might be.
Treatment
Treatment for soft tissue sarcoma depends on a number of factors, including the type of sarcoma and its size and location. Typically surgery is performed to remove the cancer. Other treatments may be included in your care plan, such as:
Radiation
Radiation therapy uses high-powered beams of energy. It can be done prior to surgery to shrink the tumor for easier removal, during surgery to directly treat the affected area with a higher dose, or after surgery to help eradicate any leftover cancer cells.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can be given in pill form or intravenously. It uses chemicals to destroy the cancer cells. Some types of soft tissue sarcoma respond better to this treatment than others.
Targeted drug treatment
Specific characteristics in some soft tissue sarcoma cells can help make them vulnerable to targeted drug treatments designed to attack the cancer. This protocol often sees better results than chemotherapy and is gentler to the body.
Whether you've been diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma or have a suspicious lump, call our office or book an appointment online today to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
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