[Computed tomography in assessing the local spread of soft-tissue tumors]

Computed tomographic (CT) data for 213 cases of various soft tissue tumors of the trunk and extremities were analysed to assess the role of the method in evaluating local extension of tumor. CT allowed to reliably identify the degree of tumor interaction with adjacent major vessels. Its data was fully confirmed by surgery in 88.5% of cases. Moreover, CT gave an opportunity to diagnose occult metastases in adjacent anatomic areas and to assess relationship between tumor and adjacent bones, partly by diagnosing X-ray-negative lesions in the latter. To summarize, CT is instrumental in taking decision to operate and planning the extent of surgery.