What is Low-Grade Fibromyxoid Sarcoma?
It is a low grade, a rare tumor of soft tissues. Soft tissues are those tissues of the body which connect, protect, or lined other organs or structures of the body. Soft tissues of the body include muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, fascia, nerves, blood vessels, fibrous sheaths, and synovial membranes of the joints. Low-grade tumors are those, which are nearly similar to the normal cells concerning their function and appearance and have a lower ability to grow and spread to other cells or parts of the body. Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma mostly affects soft tissues of the chest, abdomen, and extremities (shoulder, arms, hips, and legs) especially deep soft tissues of the thighs.Disease Epidemiology
In most of the reported cases, low-grade fibromyxiod sarcoma was found in the younger and middle-aged population, the mean age is 34 and it ranges from 3-78 years. It is slightly more common in males as compared to females. Recent clinical research studies revealed that its recurrence rate is 65%, metastatic (spread of the tumor to the adjacent cells and the distant parts of the body) rate is 45% and the death rate is 42%. Metastasis of the tumor mostly involves lungs, pleura (outer protective layer of the lungs), and chest wall.Disease Etiology (cause)
There is no exact well-known cause is found. Certain genetic mutations are considered responsible for the development of the Tumor.Signs and symptoms
The patient may face the following signs and symptoms.- The patient of low-grade fibromyxiod sarcoma remains symptoms free for a prolonged period after the development of the tumor.
- The tumor grows slowly over a prolonged period.
- Tumor lump /mass is painless in most of the cases. Tumor size varies from 1-8cm.