Primary soft-tissue neoplasms of the foot: the clinicopathologic features of 401 cases

Neoplasms of the soft tissue range from benign, indolent tumors to some of the most aggressive malignancies known to man. Despite exhaustive studies detailing their occurrence elsewhere within the body, there has been relatively little detailing such neoplasms arising within the soft tissues of the foot. Due to the relative infrequency with which malignant soft-tissue tumors occur in the foot, large series pertaining to this location have been difficult to assemble. To better elucidate the relative frequency of various benign and malignant soft-tissue tumors of the foot, the clinicopathologic features of 401 such neoplasms are described. All cases were retrieved from the files of a major medical center which specializes in the treatment of cancer. Of the 401 cases identified, 149 were benign, while 252 cases were of a malignant nature. The clinicopathologic features are summarized and descriptive statistics are applied. Special focus is given to the discussion of the malignant and rare tumors within this series. Recent concepts regarding diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy are similarly discussed.