Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Personalised treatments designed to fight cancer while preserving quality of life.

What are Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas?

Bone and soft tissue sarcomas  are a rare and diverse group of cancers that begin in bones or soft tissues such as muscles, fat, nerves, fibrous tissues, and blood vessels. They can develop in any part of the body, from the arms and legs to the chest and abdomen. Because of their complexity, bone and soft tissue sarcomas often require highly specialised diagnosis and treatment at a comprehensive cancer centre.

How Common are Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas in Singapore?

Bone and soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon, making up less than 1% of all cancers worldwide. In Singapore:

  • A review of the National Cancer Registry (2007–2011) recorded 434 cases of soft tissue sarcomas, or about 0.4% of all cancers
  • It is estimated that Singapore sees just over 200 new sarcoma cases each year
  • Many patients present late: about 40% are diagnosed at Stage 4, and another 20% at Stage 3

Because sarcomas are rare and often aggressive, early detection and timely referral to an oncology specialist can greatly improve outcomes.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas?

Bone and soft tissue sarcoma symptoms can vary depending on location and type, but common signs include:

Any persistent lump or swelling should be checked by a doctor, especially if it is growing.

How are Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas Diagnosed?

A thorough diagnosis usually involves:

  • Physical examination to check swelling and mobility
  • Imaging tests such as X-ray, CT, MRI or PET scan
  • Biopsy (needle or surgical) to confirm sarcoma type
  • Molecular and genetic testing to guide targeted therapy

Because of the wide variety of sarcoma subtypes, a precise diagnosis is crucial in planning treatment.

What are the Types of Sarcoma?

Sarcomas are divided into two broad groups:
Bone Sarcomas

Osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, Chondrosarcoma, Giant cell tumours

Liposarcoma, Leiomyosarcoma, Rhabdomyosarcoma, Angiosarcoma, Synovial sarcoma

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours, Kaposi sarcoma

What are the Stages of Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas?

Sarcoma staging is based on tumour size, grade (how abnormal the cancer cells look), and spread:

Stage I

Localised, low-grade sarcoma

Larger or higher-grade sarcoma with greater risk of recurrence

Sarcoma has spread to distant organs such as the lungs or liver

What are Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas Treatments?

Treatment depends on sarcoma type, stage, and location. Common approaches include:

Surgery

Limb-sparing surgery: Removes the tumour while preserving limb function.

Amputation: Rare, only when limb-sparing is not possible.

Reconstructive surgery: May involve grafts, prostheses, or rotationplasty to restore mobility.

Radiotherapy

Used before surgery to shrink tumours or after surgery to kill remaining cancer cells.

Delivered as external beam radiotherapy or brachytherapy (internal radiation).

Survival & Outcomes in Singapore

Outcomes for bone and soft-tissue sarcomas depend on subtype, grade, and the timing of treatment initiation.

  • A Singaporean review of osteosarcoma patients at Hospital Universiti Sains Singapore found a 5-year survival rate of 48.9%, with median survival of 47.8 months
  • In a small case series of head & neck soft tissue sarcomas, 5-year survival was 35.7%, with median overall survival of ~2 years
  • General oncology data (regional) show overall sarcoma 5-year survival at ~65%, with survival for localised disease often exceeding 80%

These numbers should be interpreted cautiously: outcomes vary widely by subtype, and modern treatments may improve survival compared to older studies.

Living with Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcomas

Recovery and survivorship care are an important part of treatment:

  • Rehabilitation & physiotherapy help restore strength and mobility after surgery
  • Regular monitoring with scans is essential to detect recurrence early
  • Nutritional and lifestyle support can aid energy levels and healing
  • Emotional and psychological care through counselling, support groups, and psycho-oncology services provides resilience for patients and families

At OncoCare Singapore, we believe in whole-person care, walking with patients and caregivers through every step of the journey.

Meet Our Doctors

At OncoCare Singapore, our multidisciplinary team brings together oncologists, orthopaedic surgeons, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, specialised oncology nurses, physiotherapists, and psycho-oncology counsellors. With expertise in bone and soft tissue sarcomas and rare cancers, they work closely to deliver comprehensive, personalised treatment plans for every patient.

Senior Medical Oncologist
Senior Medical Oncologist
Senior Medical Oncologist