[Soft-tissue tumors: primary excision or wait and see?]

Soft tissue tumors are relatively commonly seen lesions in the doctor's office. An initial differentiation between malignant and benign tumors is usually possible on the basis of the case history and a careful physical examination. In adults, primary excision under local anesthesia is the treatment of choice in many cases, while in children and in the case of large tumors suspected of being malignant, a histological diagnosis must always be obtained. A number of procedures are available for biopsy taking. If the definitive histological work-up confirms malignancy, or if the findings are uncertain, the diagnostic investigation should be extended to include such imaging procedures as CT scanning or MRI.