Depending on the stage of the sarcoma, surgery may be recommended.
The main goal of this procedure is to completely remove the tumor, as even a few cancer cells left behind can grow and multiply to create a new tumor. To be sure that all cancer cells are gone, surgeons typically perform a wide-excision, a procedure to remove the tumor plus some healthy surrounding tissue. A wide-excision with no cancer detected on the remaining edges of tissues, also known as a clean margin, minimizes the risk that the cancer will return.
Some sarcomas are best treated by removing the limb (amputation), but that is rarely the case. Most sarcomas can be treated without amputation, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy.
For more information on the diagnosis, treatment and more of sarcoma, visit our sarcoma information pages below.