ABSTRACT
Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are uncommon, but not rare, and account for 0.5% of all malignancies in adults. They are at least five times as common as primary malignant bone tumours. Their incidence is estimated at between 13.5 and 20/ million/year. This appears to be increasing. Their pathogenesis is unknown. They affect all age groups. Fifteen percent affect those under the age of 15 years and 40% affect those over the age of 55. Males are affected more than females. They can arise anywhere, but the most common sites are the large muscle groups of the upper (20%) and lower (40%) extremities, the head and neck (10%) and trunk (30%), of which 10% are retroperitoneal. It is the extremity tumours which are most likely to present to the orthopaedic surgeon.
