Soft Tissue Masses: Diagnosis and Surgery for Benign and Cancerous Tumors (Sarcoma)
Last updated Friday, January 18, 2008
Causes and effectsWhat causes masses? The
cause of most soft tissue tumors is not known. Evidence suggests that some
genetic disorders and mutations predispose people to benign and cancerous soft
tissue tumors. Exposure to radiation has a strong association with the
development of a sarcoma (cancerous growth). There are weak associations of
soft tissue tumors with exposure to environmental carcinogens.What does masses do? A soft
tissue tumor grows, slowly or quickly, in the body, based on its etiology. Generally,
soft tissue tumors grow in a round orientation, though some can grow more oval
or sausage-shaped. Most such growths remain within borders of fascia tissue,
though they can cross such boundaries as they grow.
They can
grow around bones, muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and other structures,
causing compression or change in function of those structures.
Occasionally,
a sarcoma (cancerous growth) can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the
body, usually the lungs. Surgery for masses at the University of Washington If you are interested in making an appointment to discuss this procedure, you can request an appointment using our online referrals website. To request a referral online, please click here. You can also call 206-598-4288 (outside the Seattle area: 800-440-3280) to make an appointment.
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