Soft-Tissue Sarcoma

A soft-tissue sarcoma is a form of sarcoma that develops in connective tissue, though the term is sometimes applied to elements of the soft tissue that are not currently considered connective tissue.

In their early stages, soft-tissue sarcomas usually do not cause symptoms. Because soft tissue is relatively elastic, tumors can grow rather large, pushing aside normal tissue, before they are felt or cause any problems. The first noticeable symptom is usually a painless lump or swelling. As the tumor grows, it may cause other symptoms, such as pain or soreness, as it presses against nearby nerves and muscles. If in the abdomen it can cause abdominal pains commonly mistaken for menstrual cramps, indigestion, or cause constipation.









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Retroperitoneal sarcomas

Retroperitoneal sarcomas are rare neoplasms. CT or MR imaging is performed in patients with these tumors to detect local extent and distant metastases of the tumor and for preoperative surgical planning. Most sarcomas cannot be characterised as to cell type with CT or MR, with the exceptions being liposarcomas and intracaval leiomyosarcomas. Similarly histological grading cannot be made definitively with imaging alone, the exception being liposarcoma since well differentiated liposarcomas contain more macroscopic fat than do less differentiated liposarcomas. After surgery, follow up imaging with CT or MR and careful scrutiny of the tumor bed and resection site are essential to detect early recurrences, which can often be managed with re-resection.

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A carcinoid tumor

A carcinoid tumor starts in the hormone-producing cells of various organs. Carcinoid tumors most often develop in the gastrointestinal tract, in organs such as the stomach or intestines, or in the lungs. However, a carcinoid tumor can also develop in the pancreas, a man’s testicles, or a woman’s ovaries. More than one carcinoid tumor can occur in the same organ.

Here is a general overview of where carcinoid tumors begin:

• 39% occur in the small intestine.
• 15% occur in the rectum.
• 10% occur in the bronchial system of the lungs.
• 7% occur in the appendix.
• 5% to 7% occur in the colon.
• 2% to 4% occur in the stomach.
• 2% to 3% occur in the pancreas.
• About 1% occurs in the liver.
• They rarely occur in ovaries, testicles, and other organs.

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Bone Tumor

When cells divide abnormally and uncontrollably, they can form a mass or lump of tissue. This lump is called a tumor. Bone tumors form in your bones. As the tumor grows, abnormal tissue can displace healthy tissue. Some tumors are benign, meaning they are not cancerous. While benign bone tumors won’t spread to other parts of the body and are unlikely to cause death, they can still be dangerous and may require treatment. Benign tumors can grow and could compress your healthy bone tissue. Other tumors are malignant, meaning they are cancerous. Malignant bone tumors can cause cancer to spread throughout the body.

A dull ache in the affected bone is the most common symptom of bone cancer. The pain starts off as occasional and then becomes severe and constant. The pain may be severe enough to wake you up in the night. Sometimes, when people have an undiscovered bone tumor, what seems like an insignificant injury breaks the already-weakened bone, leading to severe pain. This is known as apathologic fracture. Sometimes there may be swelling at the site of the tumor. Tumors can cause night sweats or fevers. Or you might not have any pain, but will notice a new mass of tissue on some part of your body. People with benign tumors might not have any symptoms, and the tumor might not be detected until an imaging scan reveals it while receiving other medical testing. A benign bone tumor may not require treatment unless it starts to interfere with function and movement.

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Brain Tumor

Brain tumor occurs when abnormal cells form within the brain. All types of brain tumors may produce symptoms that vary depending on the part of the brain involved. These may include headaches, seizures, problem with vision, vomiting, and mental changes. The headache is classically worst in the morning and goes away with vomiting. More specific problems may include difficulty in walking, speaking and with sensation. As the disease progresses unconsciousness may occur.

Treatment may include some combination of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

• Surgery: complete or partial resection of the tumor with the objective of removing as many tumor cells as possible.
• Radiotherapy: the most commonly used treatment for brain tumors; the tumor is irradiated with beta, x rays or gamma rays.
• Chemotherapy: is a treatment option for cancer, however it is seldom used to treat brain tumors as the blood and brain barrier prevents the drugs from reaching the cancerous cells. Chemotherapy can be thought of as a poison that prevents the growth and division of all cells in the body including cancerous cells. This causes the significant side effects experienced by patients undergoing chemotherapy.

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Choriocarcinoma

Choriocarcinoma is a fast-growing form of cancer that occurs in a woman's uterus (womb). The abnormal cells start in the tissue that would normally become the placenta. This is the organ that develops during pregnancy to feed the fetus.

Choriocarcinoma is an uncommon cancer that occurs during pregnancy. A baby may or may not develop in this type of pregnancy.

The cancer may occur after a normal pregnancy. But it most often occurs with a complete hydatidiform mole. The abnormal tissue from the mole can continue to grow even after it is removed, and can turn into cancer. About half of all women with a choriocarcinoma had a hydatidiform mole, or molar pregnancy.

Choriocarcinomas may also occur after an early pregnancy that does not continue (miscarriage), or after an ectopic pregnancy or genital tumor.

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