Publication:

Morphological spectrum of soft tissue tumours: experience of a cancer institute

Background Soft tissue tumours are defined as mesenchymal proliferations that occur in the extra skeletal nonepithelial tissues of the body, excluding viscera, brain coverings and lymphoreticular system. This study was undertaken to study the spectrum of soft tissue tumours in State Cancer Institute, Assam.

Methods This is a cross-sectional study undertaken in the Department of Oncopathology, State Cancer Institute, Guwahati from January, 2021 to June, 2024. All cases of soft tissue tumours, biopsy, excised specimen and review cases were included in the study. Inadequate biopsy, non-mesenchymal and bone tumours were excluded.

Results The overall prevalence of soft tissue tumours was 1.1% (104/9575). 46.15% cases were males while 53.85% cases were females with the male to female ratio of 1:1.17. 20.19% cases were benign, 16.35% intermediate and 63.46% malignant. Adipocytic tumours consisted of 14.42% cases, fibroblastic tumours 26.92%, vascular tumours 2.88%, perivascular tumours 0.96%, smooth muscle tumours 3.85 %, skeletal tumours 5.77%, nerve sheath tumours 18.27% and tumours of uncertain differentiation 26.92%.

Conclusions Soft tissue tumours are rare and it is important for pathologists to identify them based on morphology, immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis for prognosis and proper management of patients.