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Soft Tissue Masses: Diagnosis and Surgery for Benign and Cancerous Tumors (Sarcoma)

Last updated Friday, January 18, 2008

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Research

Is there research studying how to cure, prevent, or treat masses? Is there research studying the causes, mechanisms, or risk factors of masses?

Benign tumors do not always require removal or further treatment. With cancerous tumors, a significant volume of ongoing research studies treatment methods. Novel chemotherapy drugs are being tested in multicenter clinical trials, and researchers are trying to identify molecular targets for sarcomas (cancerous growths) – which may assist with designing drugs aimed at curing this cancer. Metabolic imaging such as PET (Positron emission tomography) scanning is opening avenues to assess tumor response to chemotherapy and to identify those tumors that are most aggressive.

Is there research studying drugs or medications for masses?

Many new drugs are being tested in clinical trials to treat soft tissue tumors. These trials take time especially because sarcomas (cancerous growth) are rare. Much effort is being focused on drugs to treat those patients with very advanced disease – disease that has metastasized.

Is there research studying non-surgical treatments for masses (therapy, lifestyle issues, etc.)?

Different types of radiation and methods for delivering radiation are being tested to determine how to best treat soft tissue tumors.

Is there research studying surgical treatment for masses?

There is ongoing investigation about how to optimally treat soft tissue tumors from a surgical perspective. Surgeons are trying to identify novel ways to maximize tumor control, without compromising function or survival. The concept of what constitutes the optimal surgical margin for specific tumor subtypes is currently under debate.

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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