Soft-tissue sarcoma
Sarcomas are rare tumours which can occur anywhere in the body. Soft-tissue sarcomas arise in tissues such as fat, muscles, nerves, tendons, and blood and lymph vessels – the soft tissues that connect, support, and surround other parts of the body.
There are approximately 50 different types of soft-tissue sarcomas, each with a different behaviour, management and outcome. Patients are best treated in a specialist hospital by a team of experts with a dedicated interest and vast experience in the management of all types of soft-tissue sarcomas.
The Royal Marsden offers a full range of soft-tissue sarcoma diagnosis, treatment and care services for patients at its hospitals in Chelsea, London, and Sutton, Surrey:
| Diagnosis, tests and investigations |
Primary assessment and diagnosis (Chelsea only)
Second opinions |
| Cancer genetics |
Yes |
| Surgery |
Yes |
| Chemotherapy |
Yes |
| Radiotherapy |
Yes |
| Critical care |
Yes |
| Rehabilitation |
Yes |
| Palliative and supportive care |
Yes |
The Royal Marsden's Sarcoma Unit has more than ten sarcoma clinics every week dedicated to the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation and follow-up treatment of patients with soft-tissue sarcomas.
Our patients are referred from a large geographical area (nationally and internationally) on suspicion of having a soft-tissue sarcoma or after a diagnosis has been confirmed by their local doctors.
Diagnosis and assessment
We aim to provide a one-stop service where any imaging and histology is reviewed before the initial consultation. Further biopsy, additional imaging and anaesthetic pre-assessment can be performed on the day of first consultation.
Patient care
Patients’ cases are discussed in a weekly multidisciplinary team meeting where the sarcoma specialist team meet and decide on the best treatment for every patient. Results and treatment plans can be discussed by telephone or at another appointment.
At The Royal Marsden, patients are at the centre of care. Every patient is assigned a key worker experienced in the management of soft-tissue sarcoma. Key workers are available to provide personal and professional advice and support, in person or over the telephone, to patients and their families throughout the journey of initial consultation, surgery, cancer treatment and during the long-term follow-up.
Second opinions
The Sarcoma Unit also provides a second opinion service to local, national and international patients and physicians for any diagnostic or management issue in the treatment of soft-tissue sarcomas.
Treatment
Surgery often plays an important part of treatment of soft-tissue sarcomas and is provided by three dedicated sarcoma surgeons. The main goal of surgery is to remove the whole tumour with a margin of healthy tissue while preserving good function in the part of the body where the tumour developed.
Surgery is performed at The Royal Marsden’s Chelsea and Sutton hospitals, where surgeons, anaesthetists, nursing staff and postoperative care are dedicated to the management of soft-tissue sarcoma patients.
Retroperitoneal sarcomas
The Royal Marsden Hospital in London is one of the largest centres in Europe managing retroperitoneal tumours, including retroperitoneal sarcomas.
Isolated limb perfusion
The Sarcoma Unit has extensive experience in using this technique to treat advanced sarcomas of the limb.
Rehabilitation and follow-up care
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation, when needed, are provided by dedicated personnel.
Once the surgical treatment has finished, patients are seen and followed up in a joint surgical and oncology sarcoma clinic. Consultation regarding the need for additional treatment in the form of radiotherapy or chemotherapy is made at the first postoperative visit and further treatment, if required, is performed at The Royal Marsden or, if appropriate, at your local hospital.
Once treatment has finished, continued follow-up care is provided at The Royal Marsden for up to ten years after diagnosis. These will include clinical examinations and scans to monitor for a recurrence or spread of the cancer.