Treatments for soft tissue sarcoma

If you have soft tissue sarcoma, your healthcare team will create a treatment plan just for you. It will be based on your health and specific information about the cancer. When deciding which treatments to offer for soft tissue sarcoma, your healthcare team will consider:

  • the grade and stage
  • where the cancer started in the body
  • the type of soft tissue sarcoma
  • what you prefer or want

The care and treatment of people with soft tissue sarcoma is often done by a healthcare team that is experienced in dealing with soft tissue sarcoma. Most cases of soft tissue sarcoma need to be managed by many specialists, including a radiologist, surgeon, medical oncologist and radiation oncologist.

Expert review and references

Treatments for stage 1 soft tissue sarcoma

Surgery is usually the primary treatment for stage 1 soft tissue sarcoma. Learn about treatments, including surgery and radiation therapy.

Treatments for stages 2 and 3 soft tissue sarcoma

Surgery is usually the primary treatment for stage 2 and 3 soft tissue sarcomas. Learn about treatments, including surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.

Treatments for stage 4 soft tissue sarcoma

Stage 4 soft tissue sarcoma can be treated with a combination of therapies, including chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Learn about treatment options.

Treatments for recurrent soft tissue sarcoma

Treatment of recurrent soft tissue sarcoma depends on where the cancer recurs and past treatment.

Surgery for soft tissue sarcoma

Surgery is the main treatment for soft tissue sarcoma. Learn about wide local excision, limb-sparing surgery, amputation, skin grafts and tissue flaps.

Radiation therapy for soft tissue sarcoma

Soft tissue sarcoma is often treated with radiation therapy. Learn about radiation therapy – when it is used, how it is given, IMRT and brachytherapy.

Chemotherapy for soft tissue sarcoma

Chemotherapy is commonly used to treat soft tissue sarcoma. Learn how and when chemotherapy is used and what chemotherapy drugs and combinations are used.

Targeted therapy for soft tissue sarcoma

Some people with certain types of soft tissue sarcoma have targeted therapy. It uses drugs to target specific molecules (such as proteins) on cancer cells or inside them. These molecules help send signals that tell cells to grow or divide. By targeting these molecules, the drugs stop the growth and spread of cancer cells and limit harm to normal cells. Targeted therapy may also be called molecular targeted therapy.

Follow-up after treatment for soft tissue sarcoma

Follow-up after soft tissue sarcoma treatment varies. Learn about scheduled follow-up appointments, and the procedures and tests that may be done.

Medical disclaimer

The information that the Canadian Cancer Society provides does not replace your relationship with your doctor. The information is for your general use, so be sure to talk to a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your health.

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The Canadian Cancer Society is not responsible for the quality of the information or services provided by other organizations and mentioned on cancer.ca, nor do we endorse any service, product, treatment or therapy.


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