Clinical diagnosis of soft tissue tumors

Abstract:

In the clinical diagnosis of a soft tissue tumor, it is important to determine whether the lesion is malignant as soon as possible. To establish such a diagnosis we perform aspiration cytology and needle biopsy simultaneously with computed radiography (CR) and echosonogram at the first visit. After the first day's investigations, it is usually possible to select the surgical procedures based on the working diagnosis in almost all patients. When the lesion is clearly benign by diagnosis, excision can be performed. For large lesions or lesions that are suspected to be malignant, CT, magnetic resonance imaging , isotope-investigation, and arteriography are also performed, effectively providing precision in an already established diagnosis. These imaging findings are useful for establishing a surgical plan by anticipating the surgical line of the safety margin. For these few patients in whom the diagnosis still remains uncertain or when preoperative treatment is planned, an incisional or excisional biopsy may be necessary to establish the final diagnosis. When preoperative treatment is performed, the effectiveness of this treatment can be evaluated by medical imaging.