Abstract
Purpose: Malignant soft tissue tumors, known as sarcomas, are well known to be locally aggressive, frequently metastatic, and highly recurrent. In other hands, intermediate soft tissue tumors often recur locally with adjacent tissue infiltration so the clinical management is difficult as sarcoma. In the present study, we evaluate the clinical course of the intermediate soft tissue tumors and consider the management plan for those. Methods: From March, 1998 to April 2008, total 3 patients of intermediate soft tissue tumors underwent operations. A patient with fibrohistiocytic neoplasm, a free flap reconstruction was performed, and he underwent several more operations because of recurrences. Other patients with desmoids - type fibromatosis showed local invasion and adhesion, and one of them underwent reoperation due to local recurrence. Results: 2 of 3 patients underwent recurrences of tumors and reoperations were performed. In another patient with no recurrence, follow-up period was just 5 months, so there may be recurrence of tumor in long term follow-up. Conclusion: The clinical course of intermediate soft tissue tumors shows high recurrence rate. So clinically, intermediate soft tissue tumors should be considered as sarcomas. The successful management requires wide resection, carefully planned reconstruction, and close follow up with radiologic evaluation.
