Management dilemma of a recurrent huge fibrosarcoma in a 25-year-old African: a case report

Soft tissue sarcomas are rare tumours that are infrequently seen in most surgical practices. They can occur in any anatomic region of the body. The size of a soft tissue sarcoma is an important prognostic variable and so affects the quality of tumour resection.

A 25-year-old Nigerian African presented with recurrent huge fibrosarcoma measuring about 55 x 40 x 10 cm at his posterior trunk. The patient's clinical condition was poor; the tumour seemed unresectable and the patient looked inoperable. He had an extensive excision of the tumour but could not afford adjuvant therapies. He was discharged home against medical advice but may succumb to metastases.

Sarcomas in black people can present as extremely large masses; the dilemma in management is not only limited to the delay in presentation but also the poor socio-economic status of the patients and the frequent non-availability of supporting services. Treatment grants or subsidies from government may go a long way to ensuring that patients receive appropriate care.