Description

Myxofibrosarcoma is a type of cancer that begins in the connective tissue. It tends to occur in the arms and legs.

Myxofibrosarcoma begins as a growth of cells that can grow into a healthy body tissue. Myxofibrosarcoma may cause a lump under the skin that grows slowly. Often it is not painful. This type of cancer more common in older adults.

Myxofibrosarcoma is a type of soft tissue sarcoma. Soft tissue Sarcomas are cancers that occur in the soft tissues that connect, support and surround other body structures.

Symptoms

The symptoms of myxofibrosarcoma include:

  • A lump that is painless in an arm or a leg.
  • A lump that grows slowly.

Myxofibrosarcoma most often starts in the leg. Rarely it starts in the abdomen, where other types of sarcomas tend to grow.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you.

Causes

The cause of myxofibrosarcoma is often not known. This type of cancer begins as a growth of the cells in the connective tissue.

Myxofibrosarcoma happens when the cells develop changes in their DNA. A cell's DNA contains the instructions that tell the cell what to do. In healthy cells, the DNA contains the instructions to grow and multiply at a set rate. The instructions that tell cells to die at a set time.

In cancer cells, changes in DNA to give different instructions. The changes tell cancer cells to grow and multiply quickly. Cancer cells can continue living when healthy cells would die. This makes too many cells. The cancerous cells can form a lump that can grow in the healthy body tissue.

Risk factors

The risk of myxofibrosarcoma is greater in adults. This type of cancer more common in adults between the ages of 50 to 70. It is rare in people under the age of 30 years.

There is no way to prevent myxofibrosarcoma.

Diagnosis

Tests and procedures used to diagnose myxofibrosarcoma include:

  • Physical exam. Your health care professional may ask about your symptoms and health. The health care professional can check your body for signs of cancer.
  • Imaging tests. Imaging tests create pictures of the body. The images can help your health care professional to learn more about the cancer and its size. A test that is used for this purpose is the magnetic resonance imaging, that can be seen close to the soft tissues, bone and muscle. You may have other tests to look for signs that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. This could be with a ct scan.
  • To obtain a tissue sample for analysis. A biopsy procedure often involves the use of a needle to take some of the suspicious tissue for analysis. The tissue is going to a laboratory, where tests can show if you have cancer and what type. Sometimes surgery is necessary to obtain a tissue sample.

Myxofibrosarcoma can be difficult to diagnose because it can be confused with other types of cancer, and other conditions that are not cancer. Careful imaging and laboratory tests can help your health care team to make the correct diagnosis.

Treatment

Myxofibrosarcoma treatment often involves surgery to remove the cancer. Other treatments include radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Myxofibrosarcoma may recur after surgery. This may be more likely if the cancer grows large, or if the laboratory tests show that the cells are growing rapidly. Your health care team can create a treatment plan with the goal of getting rid of all the cancer cells. To achieve this goal, treatment may involve radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or sometimes both treatments before or after surgery. These additional treatments may make it more likely that the cancer will not come back.

Which treatment is best for you will depend on your cancer, such as the size and location of the myxofibrosarcoma.

Surgery

The goal of surgery is to cut as much of the cancer as possible. If all myxofibrosarcoma is removed, the surgery may be the only treatment necessary.

Sometimes it is hard to get all of the myxofibrosarcoma because this type of cancer tends to expand as it grows. You can also grow close to important structures such as blood vessels and nerves that make surgery difficult. It can grow deep into the tissue. Sometimes surgeons can't see all of the cancer to make sure that it is removed.

In the past, surgeons often had to remove a limb to get rid of all of the cancer. Today that is not often necessary because of new treatments. Sometimes radiation therapy and chemotherapy before surgery to reduce the size of the cancer. This makes it easier to remove, and could reduce the risk that the cancer will come back.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to kill cancer cells. The beams of energy can come from X-rays, protons, and other sources.

The radiation may be done before surgery to help reduce the myxofibrosarcoma. Can also be done after surgery to destroy any cancer cells that may be left behind.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy treats the cancer with strong medications. It may help you control a myxofibrosarcoma that is growing rapidly. Could be an option if myxofibrosarcoma spreads to other parts of the body.

Clinical trials

Clinical trials are studies of new treatments. These studies provide an opportunity to test the latest treatments. The risk of side effects may not be known. Ask your health care team if you might be able to be in a clinical trial.

Preparing for your appointment

Make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional if you have any symptoms that worry you. If your healthcare provider thinks you might have myxofibrosarcoma, you may be referred to a specialist. Specialists who care for people with myxofibrosarcoma include:

  • Cancer doctors, and called the medical oncologists.
  • Surgeons who specialize in the functioning of people with cancer, such as orthopedic oncologist or surgical oncologists.
  • Doctors who specialize in the use of radiation therapy to treat the cancer, called radiation oncologists.

Appointments can be brief, and being prepared can help. Here is some information that can help you prepare.

What you can do

When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do in advance, such as fasting before a specific test. Make a list of:

  • Your symptoms, including any that seem unrelated to the reason for your appointment.
  • Key personal information, including major stresses, recent life changes and family medical history.
  • All medications, vitamins or supplements that you are taking, including the dosage.
  • Questions to ask your health care professional.

Have a friend or family member, if possible, to help you remember the information they give you.

For myxofibrosarcoma, some basic questions to ask your health care professional include:

  • Do I have cancer?
  • What do I need to remove the cancer?
  • I need more tests?
  • What are my treatment options?
  • What are the potential risks of these treatment options?
  • Do any of the treatments to cure my cancer?
  • I have a copy of my pathology report?
  • How much time can I take to consider my options for treatment?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What sites do you recommend?
  • What would happen if I decide not to have treatment?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care professional may ask about your symptoms, such as:

  • When did your symptoms begin?
  • The symptoms been continuous or occasional?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
Symptoms and treatment of Myxofibrosarcoma