HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF MALIGNANT SOFT TISSUE TUMORS

BACKGROUND: Soft tissue tumors are a highly heterogenous group of tumors that are classified on a histogenetic basis. They are broadly divided into benign and malignant types. Benign tumors far outnumber the malignant ones. AIM: To know the incidence in different age groups, sex incidence, site specific distribution and their grading wherever possible. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty five soft tissue tumors were received in the Department of Pathology of a medical college hospital, private nursing homes and hospitals in and around Mangalore. All specimens were received in 10% formalin along with a requisition letter which contained information about the name, age, sex, occupation, present and past history, relevant radiological and laboratory investigation results of the concerned patients. The specimens were then subjected to gross description and appropriate tissue sections were given. The microscopic features were studied with routine haematoxylin and eosin stained paraffin sections and were classified according to the New WHO Classification of malignant soft tissue tumors. RESULTS: Out of the 35 cases, 33 adults and 2 infants of soft tissue tumors studied, 19 were males and 16 were females. The most common age group of presentation was 51-60 years. Most of the tumors presented between 0-10cms in size. Liposarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma were the commonest tumors diagnosed among the 35 cases, comprising 7 cases each. CONCLUSION: Malignant soft tissue tumors are rare tumors that occur anywhere in the body, but most commonly present in the lower extremities. They occur in adults usually. However rhabdomyosarcoma are common among the children. Malignant soft tissue tumors most commonly occur in the extremities and histopathological study is one of the important diagnostic mathods. Ancillary techniques should be judiciously used wherever necessary.