Multimodality management of extremity soft tissue sarcomas-an Indian perspective

Soft-tissue sarcomas are a rare and heterogeneous group of tumors. The last few decades have seen rapid strides in the management of these complex lesions. The presence of a soft-tissue sarcoma in the extremity is no longer an indication for amputation. Function preserving alternatives for local control in these lesions are the norm without compromising on overall disease survival. Good functional and oncological results can be achieved with a combination of excision of the tumor and where required, suitable adjuvant therapies. These lesions are best managed at specialty centres where the requisite multidisciplinary care can be offered to the patient to optimise results. This article outlines the current understanding and emphasises the multimodality management of these challenging tumors. We also present Indian data of the incidence and oncologic outcomes of these lesions and suggest a treatment algorithm.