After Treatment

After treatment for sarcoma ends, talk with your doctor about developing a follow-up care plan. This plan may include regular physical examinations and/or medical tests to monitor your recovery for the coming months and years.

Regularly scheduled follow-up visits with the doctors involved in the sarcoma treatment is not only important to detect any possible tumor recurrence, but also help to manage and hopefully prevent some side effects related to treatment. A commonly used follow-up schedule includes visits every three to four months for the first three years after treatment, and then every six months until five years after the completion of treatment, and then annually thereafter. Periodic chest x-rays or CT scans will be done to detect possible later spread of cancer to the lungs during these follow-up visits. Imaging of the site of the original tumor with MRI, ultrasound, CT scan, and/or PET scan is also sometimes performed.

People who have been treated for soft tissue sarcoma should be particularly careful to report any new symptoms, such as a cough, new onset of pain, or a new lump. It may be a sign of a cancer recurrence, a side effect of treatment, or a problem unrelated to cancer. If a recurrence happens, it is likely to be within the first two years, but some sarcomas recur much later. Local recurrences (recurrences at the site of the original tumor) can often be successfully treated. Metastases (recurrences at sites away from the original site) are treatable, but rarely curable.

For people who received radiation therapy, the region of the body that received radiation therapy can be at risk for limb swelling (lymphedema), fracture of the thigh or leg bones, reduction in mobility of joints, and fibrosis (hardness) of the soft tissues. In rare instances, another sarcoma that is different from the original tumor may develop as a result of radiation therapy. Limb swelling can be managed with compression stockings and other special therapies that can be prescribed by doctors. Bone fractures may be prevented by avoiding certain high-impact exercises, which patients should discuss with their doctors. Joint mobility can be improved with a rehabilitation program. Fibrosis may respond to several months of treatment with a combination of vitamin E and pentoxifylline, another oral medication. Skin that was subject to radiation therapy should be protected from sun exposure with clothing or sunscreen regularly to reduce the chance of a skin cancer developing in that area.

A rehabilitation program after surgery or radiation therapy can be important to help patients treated for sarcoma in the arm or leg regain or maintain maximum limb function. Range-of-motion exercises, strengthening exercises, and a program to reduce limb swelling if present may be prescribed. A formal consultation with a rehabilitation medicine specialist may be extremely important to help optimize the rehabilitation of the patient after treatment. The majority of patients with a sarcoma in an arm or leg can be successfully treated and do maintain good limb function. However, even when the treatment included amputation, access to prosthetic services (artificial limbs) and mental health support can help manage the adjustment to life following amputation. Learn more about rehabilitation .

People recovering from sarcoma are encouraged to follow established guidelines for good health, such as maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, eating a balanced diet, and having recommended cancer screening tests. Talk with your doctor to develop a plan that is best for your needs. Moderate physical activity can help rebuild your strength and energy level. Your doctor can help you create an appropriate exercise plan based upon your needs, physical abilities, and fitness level. Learn more about healthy living after cancer.

Find out more about common terms used after cancer treatment is complete.