Soft-Tissue Sarcoma

Look to UC San Diego Health for your sarcoma care.

We're the region's only medical center recognized for our expertise in sarcomas by the Sarcoma Foundation of America and Sarcoma Alliance, two highly respected patient advocacy groups. These distinctions mean we have the familiarity and knowledge — and advanced technologies and approaches — to accurately diagnose and treat your disease.

Nationally Ranked Cancer Care

UC San Diego Health is consistently ranked among the top 50 in the nation for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report. In 2025-26, we are proud to be ranked No. 41.

We are also the only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in San Diego County. This is the highest possible rating for a U.S. cancer center, and it means you'll receive the best possible care and support. Studies show patient outcomes are better at NCI-designated cancer centers.

Types of Soft Tissue Sarcomas

We treat all types of sarcoma, including:

• Liposarcoma
• Leiomyosarcoma
• Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST): UC San Diego Health is one of only a few medical centers on the West Coast that regularly treats these rare cancers. 
• Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma
• Synovial sarcomasa 
• Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST)
• Myxofibrosarcoma
• Angiosarcoma
• Rhabdomyosarcoma
• Pleomorphic dermal sarcoma (PDS)
• Desmoid fibromatosis

Diagnosis and Staging

At UC San Diego Health, patients undergo a thorough evaluation to obtain an accurate diagnosis and staging of any cancer. This evaluation may include blood work and advanced imaging such as MRI, CT or PET scans. Your doctor may also recommend a biopsy so tissue samples can be examined by a pathologist under a microscope. Most sarcomas can be diagnosed and staged through imaging and tumor biopsy.

The stage of cancer describes the tumor's size and whether it has spread beyond its original area of the body. In sarcoma staging, doctors also evaluate the appearance of the tumor under the microscope and judge how fast the cancer seems to be growing.

Treatment for Soft-Tissue Sarcoma

Treatment options for soft-tissue sarcomas include surgery, radiation therapy, and sometimes chemotherapy. The combination of treatments will depend on the type and stage of the sarcoma.

Surgery

The primary treatment for most soft tissue sarcomas is surgery to remove the tumor. UC San Diego Health surgeons are experienced in treating these rare cancers, and use the latest advances in surgical techniques, including new organ-sparing procedures to completely remove tumors while preserving nearby organs and function. In cases where organs or vessels do needs to be removed, we can perform reconstructive or vascular surgery to maintain function.

Radiation therapy

Although surgery is the primary treatment for most sarcomas, radiation therapy is often used as an additional treatment. 

UC San Diego Health radiation oncologists use the most advanced technologies available to precisely target cancer cells and reduce damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Therapeutic radiation may be used before surgery to shrink a tumor, or after surgery to destroy any cancer cells left behind.

Drug therapy

Drug therapy — including chemotherapy, targeted therapies and immunotherapy —can be used alone or together with other approaches to help control cancer growth. At UC San Diego Health, patients have access to medical oncologists who specialize in sarcoma, a rare and complex group of cancers. They provide expert care with a full range of standard treatments and access to the latest therapies through clinical trials.