<b>Surgery</b> is the most common treatment of adult soft tissue sarcoma. A doctor may remove the cancer and some of the healthy tissue around the cancer. Sometimes all or part of an arm or leg may have to be removed (amputated) to make sure that all of the cancer is taken out. If cancer has spread to lymph nodes, the lymph nodes will be removed (lymph node dissection). 

<b>Radiation therapy</b> uses x-rays or other high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external?beam radiation therapy) or from putting materials that produce radiation (radioisotopes) through thin plastic tubes in the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy). 

<b>Chemotherapy</b> uses drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be taken by pill, or it may be put into the body by a needle in a vein or muscle. Chemotherapy is called a systemic treatment because the drug enters the blood stream, travels through the body, and kills cancer cells throughout the body. Chemotherapy that is given after surgery when no cancer cells can be seen is called adjuvant chemotherapy. In soft tissue sarcoma, chemotherapy is sometimes injected directly into the blood vessels in the area where the cancer is found. This treatment is called regional chemotherapy. 

Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy may be used to shrink the cancer so it can be removed without taking off an entire arm or leg. 

<b>[There are many other specific treatments available that are not the three majors listed above.  The statement above is a simple one meant to help orient people.  It is not a comprehensive statement.  Many of the techniques and medicines and complements that can be used in certain circumstances are discussed in the Metastatic Disease section.  Even this is not a comprehensive statement. doctordee]

[If you are going to go on a treatment search, always look for treatment options on reputable sites, and these are NOT the sites selling the treatment.  There is a lot of snake oil out there. doctordee]

[If you decide to take supplements, discuss them with your oncologist.  Before taking any chemotherapy or radiation or surgical treatment, tell the doctor what medicines you are taking, INCLUDING vitamins and herbals and other supplements.  Some medicines, vitamins, herbals, or other supplements INTERFERE with these treatments, or cause complications.  Discuss with your doctor. doctordee]<b/>
