Surgery for soft tissue sarcoma
Surgery is one of the main treatments for soft tissue sarcoma. The aim of most surgery is to completely remove the cancer. You might have it with other treatments.
It’s difficult to give general information about sarcoma surgery. The type of operation you have depends on where in your body the sarcoma is. Many sarcomas are in the arm or leg. Some sarcomas grow in the deeper tummy (abdomen) area. They are called retroperitoneal sarcomas. Surgery for retroperitoneal sarcomas is often a big operation.
Types of surgery for soft tissue sarcoma
Surgery is the main treatment for most types of soft tissue sarcoma. It is a very specialised treatment.
Surgery to an arm or leg (limb)
Surgery for sarcoma is a very specialised treatment. A surgeon who is trained and experienced in this area will do your operation.
Plastic surgery for soft tissue sarcoma
During your operation, you may need some plastic surgery to repair the area. This happens at the same time as your sarcoma operation.
Surgery for sarcoma that has spread
When sarcoma spreads to a different part of the body it is called a secondary or metastatic cancer. Surgery is sometimes possible if it has spread to the lungs or the liver.
Before your surgery for soft tissue sarcoma
Before you have surgery for a soft tissue sarcoma you will meet the team caring for you and have some tests to check you are well enough to have the operation.
On the day of surgery for soft tissue sarcoma
You have a general anaesthetic so you can't feel anything during the operation. This sends you into a deep sleep.
After surgery for soft tissue sarcoma
How you feel after surgery depends on what operation you have. You will need to spend time in the hospital and then give yourself time to recover once you are home.
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