What are soft tissue tumours?

A soft tissue tumour is a growth of abnormal cells in the body's soft tissues These tissues include muscles, lymph and blood vessels, nerves, and fat. Most soft tissue tumours are benign (say "bih-NYN"). This means they aren't cancer. But some aren't benign. Soft tissue tumours that are cancer are also called sarcomas.

Why is this surgery done?

Some soft tissues tumours can be watched over time. These may not need to be removed. But there are reasons your child may need to have a soft tissue tumour removed. A tumour may need to be removed if:

• It causes pain or problems with movement.
• It's likely to cause problems to nearby tissue, blood vessels, or nerves.
• It bothers your child. Or maybe your child or you don't like the way it looks.
• The doctor needs to test the tumour for cancer.
• The tumour is cancer.

How is it done?

Your child will be kept comfortable and safe by the anesthesia provider. Your child will be asleep during the surgery.

How the doctor removes the tumour depends on the type of tumour it is. It also depends on whether it affects nearby tissue. Some tumours can be removed with a small incision (cut). For others, the doctor may need to take some extra tissue from around the edges of the tumour too. If a lot of tissue needs to be removed, your child may get skin grafts to repair the wound.

What can you expect afterward?

Each child recovers from surgery at a different pace. The time it takes for your child to heal will depend on several things, such as where the tumour was and how it was removed.

You will be given instructions about how to care for your child at home. These instructions will include information about things like incision care and when it's okay for your child to return to normal activity.

Your child may have follow-up visits to the doctor after surgery. If the tumour was cancer, your child will likely need more treatment.