While this approach improves survival and life expectancy, it is possible that a sarcoma could return. Some sarcomas tend to reappear in the same spot, and others grow in new locations. Typically, if a sarcoma does come back, it happens within the first two to five years after surgery.

How often do sarcomas recur?

After treatment of primary soft tissue sarcomas, 11% to 14% of patients develop local recurrence and 18% to 50% of patients develop metastases [3, 8, 12, 15, 16, 19, 23]. Local recurrence may require additional surgery, radiotherapy, or even amputation.

Can sarcoma be cured completely?

A sarcoma is considered stage IV when it has spread to distant parts of the body. Stage IV sarcomas are rarely curable. But some patients may be cured if the main (primary) tumor and all of the areas of cancer spread (metastases) can be removed by surgery. The best success rate is when it has spread only to the lungs.