Imaging evaluation of patients with soft tissue sarcoma

Imaging provides the clinician with crucial information in the diagnosis, staging, treatment planning, treatment evaluation, and post-treatment assessment of patients with soft tissue sarcoma. MRI, including contrast-enhanced sequences, usually is preferred for evaluating the primary site in extremity sarcomas and lesions of the head and neck. CT generally is preferred for imaging of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, either in the evaluation of the primary site in those regions or for identifying metastatic disease. The experienced radiologist often can suggest a specific diagnosis or narrow differential diagnosis from the imaging characteristics, particularly with MRI. It is imperative that imaging be performed in a manner specific for the evaluation of soft tissue masses, and before biopsy or surgery, to provide the most accurate preoperative assessment and treatment planning [56, 57].