Patterns of care of superficial soft tissue sarcomas: it is not always just a lump

Abstract

Aim: Superficial soft tissue sarcomas (S-STS) are generally considered low-risk tumors and have an excellent prognosis when treated with appropriate surgery and adjuvant therapy. However, they are often misdiagnosed then mistreated, leading to significant morbidity. This study aims to examine the patterns of care and outcomes of patients with S-STS, comparing those initially managed through sarcoma units versus elsewhere. Methods: Patients with S-STS from Prince of Wales Hospital in NSW (1995–2013) and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre in Victoria (2009–2013) were identified from a national sarcoma database. Baseline variables, treatment and disease outcomes were recorded. Statistical tests perf..