DEAR DR. GOTT: What is peripheral nerve sheath spindle cell sarcoma? Is it a cancer you get if you have had radiation therapy for a tumor? What is the treatment? What is the prognosis?

DEAR READER: Sarcomas are a less common form of cancer and come in two types: bone and soft tissue. There are various forms of benign (non-cancerous) bone and soft tissue tumors; however, when the term sarcoma is used, it is because the tumor is malignant (cancerous). Common sarcomas (also sometimes called malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors) include neurofibrosarcomas, neurogenic sarcomas, and malignant schwannomas.

Spindle cell tumors and spindle cell sarcomas are named for the appearance of their cells under a microscope. They can be carcinaomas, sarcomas or sarcomatoids [Read more...]