Treatment options and additional remedies for soft tissue sarcoma
Soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is a type of cancer that forms in the body's soft tissues, and its treatment requires a multifaceted approach. A team of specialists, including orthopedic surgeons, surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, thoracic surgeons, and physiatrists, work together to determine the best course of action.
The choice of treatment depends on several factors, such as the stage and extent of the disease, tumor size, location, histology, patient-specific factors, prior treatments, and risk of recurrence.
For early-stage sarcomas, surgery may be the primary method for removing the tumor and surrounding tissue. In some cases, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may be added to the treatment plan to destroy any remaining cancer cells or to shrink a tumor that is large or difficult to remove. For some STS and earlier stages of sarcoma, treatment may include surgery alone, or radiation therapy or chemotherapy in addition to surgery.
Radiation therapy plays a crucial role in STS treatment. It may be recommended after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer cells, or before surgery to shrink a tumor. External beam radiation is the most common type of radiation therapy for sarcomas, with sessions usually taking place daily over several weeks. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy is a technique used to reduce damage to normal tissue.
Intraoperative radiation therapy involves receiving a large dose of radiation straight after surgery, which does not pass through healthy tissue. Internal radiation therapy is another procedure where small pellets of radioactive material are placed near the STS during surgery.
Immunotherapy drugs help support the immune system to destroy cancer cells. PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab (Keytruda) and atezolizumab (Tecentriq), are used for certain types of advanced STS. Targeted drug therapy is a treatment that targets cancer cells specifically, causing less damage to healthy cells than radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors and histone methyltransferase inhibitors are used for this purpose.
Various complementary therapies, including acupuncture, acupressure, tai chi, yoga, massage therapy, meditation, aromatherapy, art therapy, music therapy, biofeedback, spirituality and prayer, may help reduce treatment side effects. However, people should discuss complementary therapies with their healthcare team before trying them alongside medical care.
Treatment at cancer centers specializing in sarcomas may result in better outcomes. The decision-making process involves a multidisciplinary evaluation, with coordination among surgical, medical, and radiation oncologists, and discussion of tumor board findings to tailor therapy.
In conclusion, the choice of treatment for soft tissue sarcoma depends on various factors, often leading to combining surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and evolving immunotherapies to optimize outcomes. It is essential for patients to consult with their healthcare team to understand their specific treatment plan and the rationale behind it.
- The treatment plan for soft tissue sarcoma (STS) often includes a multifaceted approach, involving specialists like orthopedic surgeons, surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, thoracic surgeons, and physiatrists.
- In the case of early-stage sarcomas, surgery might be the primary method for removing the tumor and surrounding tissue, with radiation therapy or chemotherapy sometimes added to the treatment plan.
- Radiation therapy, such as external beam radiation therapy, is crucial in STS treatment, often recommended after surgery to destroy remaining cancer cells or before surgery to shrink a tumor.
- Immunotherapy drugs, like PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors, and targeted drug therapies, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors and histone methyltransferase inhibitors, are used to destroy cancer cells specifically, causing less damage to healthy cells.
