- Incidence of soft tissue sarcomas
- Risk factors for soft tissue sarcomas
- Diagnosis of soft tissue sarcomas
- Treatment of soft tissue sarcomas
- What happens after treatment is completed?
Soft tissue sarcomas are malignant tumors that develop from fat, muscle, nervous tissue, blood and lymph vessels, and joint tissue. They can occur in any part of the body. 50% of them are detected on the upper and lower extremities, the rest - on the trunk, in the head and neck, in the internal organs and retroperitoneum (posterior abdomen).
There are many types of soft tissue tumors, and not all of them are malignant.
TUMORS FROM ADITY TISSUE
Lipomas are the most common benign tumors of adipose tissue. Most of them are located under the skin. Lipoblastomas and hibernomas are also benign tumors of adipose tissue.
Liposarcomas are malignant tumors of adipose tissue. They are most often found on the thigh and in the retroperitoneal space in people aged 50-65 years. Some liposarcomas grow very slowly, while others grow rapidly.
TUMORS FROM MUSCLE TISSUE
There are two types of muscles: smooth and striated. Smooth muscles are located in the internal organs (stomach, intestines, blood vessels, uterus) and contract involuntarily, regardless of our desire and we cannot control their activity. Striated (skeletal) muscles allow movement of the arms, legs and other parts of the body. These movements depend on our desire.
Leiomyomas are benign smooth muscle tumors and are most often found in women in the uterus.
Leiomyosarcomas are malignant smooth muscle tumors that can develop in any part of the body, but are most often localized in the retroperitoneum and internal organs. They are rarely found in the muscles of the arms and legs.
Rhabdomyomas are benign tumors of striated muscles.
Rhabdomyosarcomas are malignant tumors of striated muscles. Most often they develop on the upper and lower extremities, but can also be detected in the head and neck, bladder and vagina. The disease is most often diagnosed in children.
Neurofibromas, schwannomas, and neuromas are benign tumors of the nerves.
Malignant schwannomas and neurofibrosarcomas (neurogenic sarcomas) are malignant forms of the disease.
Ewing group tumors include osseous Ewing sarcoma, extraosseous Ewing sarcoma, and primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) . All of these tumors share some common features of neural tissue. They are common in children and rare in adults.
Joints are surrounded by synovial tissue, which produces a special fluid that reduces friction when the articular surfaces move. The synovium can be a source of tumors.
Nodular tenosynovitis (tenosynovitis) is a benign tumor of the joint tissue. It most often occurs on the hands, usually in women.
Synovial sarcoma is a malignant tumor that most often develops in the knee joint in young adults.
Hemangiomas are benign tumors of blood vessels. They are quite common and are often discovered at birth. They can be located both on the skin and in internal organs. Sometimes they go away on their own without treatment.
Lymphangiomas are benign tumors of the lymphatic vessels.
Angiosarcomas can develop from both blood (hemangiosarcoma) and lymphatic (lymphangiosarcoma) vessels. Sometimes these tumors occur in parts of the body that have previously been treated with radiation. Kaposi's sarcoma develops from cells that resemble the epithelium (lining cells) of blood and lymph vessels. Most often, this tumor occurs when the immune system is severely suppressed, for example, in patients with AIDS or in people who have undergone an organ transplant.
Hemangioendothelioma is a low-grade malignant tumor of blood vessels. It is less aggressive than hemangiosarcoma, but can destroy nearby tissues and metastasize (spread) to distant organs (liver, lungs).
Glomus tumors usually arise under the skin of the fingers and are benign.
Hemangiopericytoma is a malignant tumor that most often develops in adults on the lower extremities, pelvis and retroperitoneum.
Tendons and ligaments belong to fibrous tissue and can become sources of various tumors.
Fibromas, elastofibromas, superficial fibromatosis, and fibrous histiocytomas are benign tumors of fibrous tissue.
Fibrosarcoma is a malignant tumor that is most often detected at the age of 30-55 years on the upper and lower extremities and trunk.
Desmoid tumor (aggressive fibromatosis) has features of a benign and malignant tumor. It does not spread to distant organs, but can spread locally, leading to death.
Dermatofibrosarcoma is a low-grade tumor that occurs under the skin of the extremities and trunk. It affects tissues close to the tumor, but rarely metastasizes.
Malignant fibrous histiocytoma is the most common soft tissue tumor of the extremities in older adults. Less commonly, it is detected in the retroperitoneal space.
Myxoma is a benign tumor that usually occurs in the muscles, but does not develop from muscle cells. Myxoma cells produce a mucus-like substance.
Malignant mesenchymoma is a rare tumor that has features of several types of sarcomas.
Alveolar soft tissue sarcoma is rare in young adults and is usually located on the lower extremities.
Epithelioid sarcoma most often develops under the skin of the upper and lower extremities in adolescents and young adults.
Clear cell sarcoma is a rare tumor that occurs in the tendon area and is somewhat similar to melanoma (a malignant pigmented tumor).
Desmoplastic small cell tumor is a rare variant of sarcoma in adolescents and young adults and is usually found in the abdomen.
Inflammation and trauma can lead to the formation of nodes under the skin and muscles that resemble a true tumor. These conditions include nodular fasciitis and myositis ossificans.
What is hand cancer
Cancer is a malignant formation that grows from bone or epidermal cells. Oncological diseases are classified according to these characteristics. In rare cases, cancer develops from hair follicles (hamartomas occur).
Hand cancer is a malignant tumor of bone and skin cellular structures. Accompanied by tissue swelling at the site of the lesion, pain, nausea, dizziness, and fever.
For diagnosis, a blood test for tumor markers, radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are used.
The main methods of treatment are cytostatic chemotherapy and surgery.
The skin lesion is primary. Bone cancer develops both due to the degeneration of local tissues and as a result of metastasis of a malignant tumor located in the lungs, prostate or mammary glands.
Stages of the disease
- Stage I: Spontaneously reversible. The swelling is quite noticeable; if you press on the skin with your finger, a hole remains. After rest (especially in the morning) it subsides, but in the evening it becomes the same. Patients rarely turn to specialists at this stage.
- Stage II: Spontaneously irreversible. The skin hardens (this is due to the growth of connective tissue), the swelling is no longer so soft and when pressing with a finger on the skin there is no hole left. The skin is very tight and sensitive. The patient may experience pain.
- Stage III: Irreversible. The skin is fibrous (the tissue scars), cysts or papillomas appear on it. The limb is deformed due to tissue damage. She moves poorly or even becomes motionless and becomes heavy. This is the extreme stage of lymphedema - elephantiasis.
Causes
The reasons for the degeneration of cells into cancerous ones are not fully understood. It is believed that tumor processes occur under the influence of the following factors:
- frequent injuries;
- the course of inflammatory processes in tissues;
- heredity;
- exposure to ultraviolet or ionizing radiation;
- immunodeficiency.
Hand cancer develops primarily as a secondary tumor that arises from the location of other neoplasms. Also, the appearance of cancer is associated with regular contact with chemicals and thermal effects on tissue.
BENIGN TUMORS OF PERIPHERAL NERVES
Traumatic or amputation neuroma
Arises as a result of post-traumatic hyperregeneration of the nerve. It is a small painful node.
Neurofibroma
A single, slowly growing benign tumor of the mesenchymal sheath of the nerve trunk of any location, but most often develops on the sciatic nerve and intercostal nerves. Occurs in people of any age. Clinically defined as a small, densely elastic consistency with a smooth surface of the tumor node, upon palpation of which the pain radiates along the nerve. Some tumors can reach large sizes. Tumor growth can occur both to the periphery of the nerve and in the thickness of the nerve trunk, which is revealed during its morphological examination.
Treatment is surgical. The prognosis is good. A special disease is multiple neurofibromatosis (Recklinghausen's disease), which belongs to the group of dysplastic processes. Cases of malignancy of one of the multiple neurofibromas in this disease have been described.
Symptoms
The nature of the clinical picture is determined by the localization of the tumor process. A common sign of a cancerous tumor is constant pain in the arms. The intensity of this symptom usually increases with physical activity.
Symptoms of arm bone cancer
Bone cancer is indicated by a sharp increase temperature that is not associated with colds or other diseases. The tissue in the affected area swells. The patient complains of increased fatigue and sudden weight loss caused by decreased appetite. At night, due to the cancerous tumor, sweat production increases.
When palpating the problem area, a small compaction is revealed. The skin over the cancerous tumor changes color.
The intensity of general symptoms is determined by the current stage of development of the tumor. At first, the tumor is localized within the affected bone, without causing significant changes. After reaching the second stage, the size of the formation is 8 cm in diameter. At this stage, it is possible that cancer cells may spread beyond the original zone.
Subsequently, malignancy of healthy bone tissue occurs. In advanced cases, cancer metastasizes to regional lymph nodes or distant organs. At the last stage of development of cancer, the described symptoms are accompanied by signs of lung damage.
Symptoms of hand skin cancer
Hand skin cancer provokes swelling of the tissue in the affected area. The course of the tumor process is accompanied by leaching of calcium from the bones. This causes attacks of nausea and dizziness. Due to the leaching of calcium, the fragility of bone tissue increases, and therefore the patient is more likely to experience fractures.
Along with these symptoms, the patient is concerned about persistent elevated body temperature, general weakness and sudden weight loss. The presence of a cancerous tumor is indicated by dark spots appearing on the surface of the hand. Formations of this type have an uneven structure and often bleed.
Against the background of skin cancer, the number of moles and papillomas often increases, which is due to an immunodeficiency state. The latter causes exacerbation of dermatoses.
Hand skin cancer also goes through 4 stages of development. At the initial stage, a small formation up to 2 cm in diameter is formed in the problem area. The latter moves to the side upon palpation.
At the second stage, the neoplasm increases to 4 cm in diameter. At this stage, the tumor sometimes metastasizes to nearby lymph nodes.
The third stage is characterized by a change in the shape of the neoplasm. The surface of the tumor becomes lumpy or covered with scales. Due to the fact that cancer grows into the deep layers of the epidermis, upon palpation the neoplasm practically does not move.
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At the last stage of development, the tumor often affects the bone and cartilaginous structure of the hand, which causes intense and constant pain. Stage 4 is characterized by the presence of metastases in distant organs.
BENIGN TUMORS OF BLOOD AND LYMPHATIC VESSELS
These lesions include various processes, a significant number of them are considered in dermatology. Some of them relate to malformations of the vascular system of a tumor-like nature, some to true tumors.
Capillary angioma
True neoplasm with proliferation of endothelial cells.
Benign hemangioendothelioma
Congenital pathology, occurs in newborns and infants, more often in girls, with localization in the head area.
Capillary hemangioma
After lipoma, the most common tumor of soft tissues, often multiple, reaches its maximum size by 6 months of age; with multiple lesions, localization in internal organs is possible
Cavernous hemangioma
A formation consisting of bizarre sinusoid-type cavities of various sizes. Localized in the skin, muscles, internal organs. Has a benign course.
Senile hemangioma
A true tumor is characterized by proliferation of capillaries followed by their cavernization with secondary changes.
Hemangioma
A mature benign tumor of vascular origin, common. It most often affects middle-aged people and is localized on the mucous membrane of the nose, lips, skin of the face, extremities, and in the mammary gland. It is a clearly demarcated grayish-pink node 2-3 cm in size. The tumor can often become malignant and develop into angiosarcoma.
Arterial angioma
A conglomerate of malformed vessels, no signs of a tumor.
Glomangioma (glomus tumor, Barre-Masson tumor)
It occurs as an isolated tumor or as multiple disseminated familial glomusangioma. The tumor is benign and occurs in older people, in the hands and feet, most often in the nail bed area. May affect the skin of the lower leg, thigh, face, and torso. In isolated observations, it was observed in the kidneys, vagina, and bones. When localized in the skin, the tumor is sharply painful. Does not recur and does not metastasize.
Hemangiopericytoma
It is rare and can occur at any age. Localized in the skin, less often in the thickness of soft tissues. It looks like a delimited dense red node. The tumor can become malignant - giving relapses and metastases, it is considered a potentially malignant process. Malignancy in up to 20% of cases has been described in adults. The process in children is benign.
Lymphangioma
It is observed more often in children as a malformation of the lymphatic vessels, but can occur at any age. Most often localized on the neck, oral mucosa.
Classification
Osteogenic sarcoma is considered the most aggressive cancer that affects the bone structure. This type of neoplasm is more common than others. Less commonly diagnosed are chondrosacroma and chondroma, which are characterized by slow development.
Malignant tumors of the skin of the hands are classified into melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The first develops due to the degeneration of cells that produce the pigment melanin. Melanomas are small spots on the surface of the skin that sometimes bleed.
Basaliomas develop in the deep layers of the epidermis. This type of cancer causes scaly plaques to appear on the surface of the skin, with ulcers forming in the center.
Squamous cell carcinoma occurs on the surface of the hands. The course of the tumor process is accompanied by ulceration of skin tissue.
Treatment
Hand cancer treatment tactics are selected individually. The treatment regimen should take into account the current stage of development of the tumor process, patient characteristics and other factors.
Self-medication is dangerous with complications!
Attention
Despite the fact that our articles are based on trusted sources and have been tested by practicing doctors, the same symptoms can be signs of different diseases, and the disease may not proceed according to the textbook.
Pros of seeing a doctor:
- Only a specialist will prescribe suitable medications.
- Recovery will be easier and faster.
- The doctor will monitor the course of the disease and help avoid complications.
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Do not try to treat yourself - consult a specialist.
Typically, treatment for cancer begins with taking cystostatic drugs (chemotherapy). Drugs in this group make it possible to stop the development of the tumor process, thereby localizing the cancer. Cystostatics are also used in cases where the neoplasm has metastasized to nearby and distant organs.
After a course of chemotherapy, open surgery for the tumor is performed. This procedure removes cancerous tissue and a small amount of healthy tissue. During the operation, the doctor tries not to affect the tendons and muscle fibers, which helps maintain the motor activity of the limb.
If the cancerous tumor has grown into the deep layers of the bone, the surgeon removes the latter. Instead of the excised tissue, an implant (metal prosthesis) is installed. If there are appropriate indications, healthy tissue is transplanted from other parts of the body. In extreme cases, the affected limb is amputated.
In the postoperative period, radiation therapy is often prescribed. This treatment method is not used separately from surgery due to its low effectiveness. Radiation therapy can destroy cells that were not removed during surgery.
If melanoma is detected at the initial stage, the cryosurgery method is used. This method involves exposing problematic tissues to ultra-low temperatures, which leads to rejection of the cancerous tumor.
Treatment of hand tumors at ART-Clinic
People turn to ART Clinic specialists for help when a dense formation causes pain, complicates the normal functioning of the hand, and also worries about a cosmetic defect. During the consultation, the surgeon examines the tumor and, depending on its characteristics, prescribes an examination. The diagnostic package may include:
- ultrasound scanning of the tumor;
- MRI;
- radiography;
- puncture of tumor contents with histological examination.
Treatment is carried out surgically. For small formations under the skin, they are excised with the capsule, sutures are applied, and the limb is immobilized. The operation takes place under local anesthesia and lasts 30 minutes.
Large tumors affecting tendons, bone structures and joints are removed under general anesthesia. The duration of the operation is 1-1.5 hours. After surgery, the patient is under the supervision of doctors in the ART Clinic in Moscow for several days.
You can sign up for a consultation and find out the price of treatment on the clinic’s website or by calling the specified phone number.
Complications and prognosis
If left untreated, hand cancer causes the death of the patient. Also, complications that arise from cancer include decreased mobility of the affected limb and the need for amputation.
The prognosis for hand cancer depends on the type of tumor and timely detection. If cancer is detected in the early stages, then 5-year survival is observed in 90-95% of cases.
At the second stage of development of the tumor process, this figure decreases to 50%. If the cancer has metastasized to nearby structures, then 30% of patients survive after treatment. In advanced situations, death occurs in 80% of cases.
BENIGN TUMORS AND TUMOR-LIKE DISEASES OF SYNOVIAL TISSUE (JOINTS)
Benign synovioma without giant cells
The existence of benign synoviomas is debated. Most authors are inclined to believe that all synoviomas are malignant, regardless of the degree of maturity. The tumor mainly affects the knee joint, in the form of small dense nodes. Treatment is surgical, but patients should be observed for 5-9 years. The disease can cause relapses and metastases.
Benign giant cell synovioma (nodular tenosynovitis)
Pseudotumor process occurs quite often. In 15% the process occurs in the area of the synovial membrane of the joints, in 80% in the tendon sheaths, in 5% in the mucous bursae. It is a nodular formation, most often localized on the fingers, less often on the feet, and even more rarely in the area of large joints. Favorite localization is the interphalangeal joints. It is more common in women 30-60 years old. If it persists for a long time, it can cause atrophy of surrounding tissues, including bones. The process often recurs, most of the relapses are associated with incomplete removal. Does not give metastases.
Pigmented villonodular synovitis
It is located inside the shell of the joints, most often in the area of the knee, elbow and shoulder joints. Occurs in middle age. The etiology is not clear.
Prevention
It is difficult to prevent the development of hand cancer due to the fact that the true causes of degeneration of skin and bone cells have not been established. To reduce the risk of malignancy, it is recommended to avoid trauma and radiation to the upper extremities. It is also important to promptly consult a doctor about unusual growths on the surface of the skin and constant aching pain.
Hand cancer appears under the influence of various factors. The course of cancer is characterized by intense pain in the upper extremities and swelling of local tissues. Radical methods are used in the treatment of cancer.
Treatment of arm lymphedema at the Innovative Vascular Center
The innovative vascular center has been developing the direction of conservative and surgical treatment of arm lymphostasis for more than 10 years, relying on the German experience of conservative treatment used by Dr. Shingale and microsurgical technology of lymphovenous anastomoses and lymph node transplantation.
We provide a full-fledged treatment and rehabilitation complex, which allows you to reduce swelling by 70-100% and control it. The course of treatment is 14 - 28 days.
Surgical treatment is used for stage 2-3 lymphedema of the arm and requires a preliminary course of conservative therapy. The experience of our clinic shows that the manifestations and progression of lymphedema can be significantly reduced and even reversed.