Staging is the process of determining the extent of the disease at the time of diagnosis. Staging is necessary to assist the physician in choosing the most appropriate treatment plan for the child. The staging systems may vary depending on the known patterns of metastasis of the sarcoma. Treatment may vary according to the type of sarcoma, the age of the child at diagnosis, location of the tumor and stage of the disease. Frequently more than one treatment method is used to treat these types of malignant tumors.
Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells.
Chemotherapy not only destroys cancer cells but also affects the growth of normal cells and therefore has side effects which will be explained to you. Surgery involves the complete or partial removal of the tumor. Some normal tissue may also be removed and lymph node sampling performed as part of the staging process. The treatment is given in precisely measured amounts by doctors and technicians who are experts in this field. Treatment will depend upon the specific type of soft tissue sarcoma and the extent of the tumor.