What is a soft tissue tumor?

Soft tissue tumors generally refer to neoplasms arising within soft tissues—most commonly in the soft tissues of the musculoskeletal system, such as ligaments and synovium. These tumors are broadly classified as either benign or malignant: benign lesions are termed “tumors,” whereas malignant ones are termed “sarcomas.” Benign tumors are typically curable with surgical resection alone, whereas malignant sarcomas are generally more challenging to treat. Soft tissue tumors occur most frequently in young and middle-aged adults, often involving the trunk. Patients are advised to seek treatment as early as possible upon diagnosis.