Soft tissue sarcoma

Incidence Soft tissue sarcoma accounts for a approximately 1% of all cancer s. Excluding Kaposi sarcoma, the incidence of soft tissue sarcoma has remai ned stable in Europe (3-4/100,000). Endogenous factors Endogenous factors are related to rare genetic syndromes (Li-Fraumeni syndrome, neurofibromatosis, Werner syndrome, bilateral retin oblastom). Exogenous factors Exogenous factors associated with soft tissue sarcoma are essentially iatrogenic: radiation therapy (prevalence of radiation-induced sarcoma: 0.17-0.21%) and chronically edematous arms after radical mastecto my for breast cancer (Stewart-Treves syndrome). Many studies suggest that e nvironmental or occupational exposure to chlorophenol, phenoxy.-herbicides or dioxin increase the risk of soft tissue sarcoma. Further research Little is known about the epidemiology of soft tissue sarc oma. Case-control studies are needed. (C) 2001, Masson, Paris.