What are Sarcomas of the Foot and Ankle
Sarcomas are cancerous tumors that grow in muscles, fat, joints, nerves, or blood vessels. Though they are rare, occurring in only 30 cases out of a million people, they can be very serious and should be treated immediately.
Medical researchers have connected soft tissue sarcomas to exposure to chemicals, high-dose radiation, viral infections, and genetic abnormalities. In most cases, however, the cause is unknown.
How is soft tissue sarcoma diagnosed?
UFAI physicians are expertly trained at identifying all types of masses on your feet and ankles. If your doctor suspects that your cyst is, in fact, a soft tissue sarcoma, he will use MRI imaging to see the size and depth of the mass.
MRIs are also used for guiding biopsies, checking the tumor’s response to treatments, and observing the disease progression. As noted in the National Cancer Institute, “Serial MRI examinations are useful for following patients during and after treatment.”
A simple X-ray may also be used to study large, deep, soft tissue masses that are fixed to the bone. The Mayo Clinic also states “Your doctor might recommend additional imaging tests, such as X-rays, to see if the cancer has spread to your lungs or other parts of your body.”
Treatment of soft tissue Sarcoma
If your UFAI physician determines that you have a soft tissue sarcoma like synovial sarcoma, he will most likely refer you to an oncologist, a doctor who specializes in cancer treatments.
The oncologist’s main goal is to control the local and distant spread of the tumor with the least amount of disruption to your quality of life. As stated by Cleveland Clinic, the key is removing the tumor through surgery.
Treatment options vary depending on several factors, including tumor size, location, grade, and stage; patient age and health; and more, according to NCI.
Treatment options vary depending on several factors, including:
- Size, grade, and stage of the sarcoma
- Patient’s age and general health
- Speed as when cancer cells are growing and dividing
- Whether all of the cancer was removed in surgery
- Whether cancer has recurred
Radiation and Chemotherapy are often combined with surgery to lower the risk of recurrence. Radiation and chemotherapy can be administered either before or after the tumor is removed. The timing of the therapy depends upon the tumor site and the doctor’s judgment.
Your oncologist will tell you how important it is to keep your follow-up visits after treatment. Tumors that come back may cause a serious problem and it’s best to catch them early.
Why UFAI is the Right Choice for Synovial Sarcoma Care
The physicians at the University Foot and Ankle Institute are experts at identifying masses of the foot and ankle. We have the latest technologies available to ensure an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment selection.
As one of Los Angeles’ largest podiatry practices, UFAI offers multi-disciplinary medical care and diagnostic testing on-site. Our patients receive maximum convenience and peace of mind with our on-site testing and treatment options.
Interested in a consultation? Please call (877) 736-6001 or request a consultation online. University Foot and Ankle Institute is conveniently located throughout Southern California with podiatry clinics in (or near) Santa Monica (on Wilshire Blvd.), Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, West Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, and the San Fernando Valley, Manhattan Beach, and the South Bay, LAX, Westlake Village, Valencia, Santa Clarita, and Santa Barbara.
When not tending to patients at University Foot and Ankle Institute, Dr. Jafary utilizes his surgical expertise assisting those less fortunate. As a member of the Yucatan Crippled Children Foundation, he has traveled to Mexico several times and performed hundreds of limb correction surgeries on children with disabling foot and ankle disorders. Dr. Jafary also participates in Podiatry Overseas, which takes him to underserved countries to treat patients with lower extremity deformities.
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