Preface

Soft tissue tumors include a heterogeneous group of diagnostic entities, most of them benign in nature and behavior. Malignant entities, soft tissue sarcomas, are rare tumors that account for 1% of all malignancies. These are predominantly tumors of adults, but 15% arise in children and adolescents. The wide biological diversity of soft tissue tumors, combined with their high incidence and potential morbidity and mortality represent challenges to contemporary researches, both at the level of basic and clinical science. Determining whether a soft tissue mass is benign or malignant is vital for appropriate management.

This book is the result of collaboration between several authors, experts in their fields; they have tried to convey to the reader the complexity of soft tissue tumors and the diversity in the diagnosis and management of these tumors.

In this book, entitled Soft Tissue Tumors, we have highlighted many of the significant advances in the diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue tumors; we tried to offer a comprehensive overview of this wide field, from basic mechanisms underlying soft tissue tumors to current advances and future directions in the prevention, early detection and management of these neoplasms.

The presented textbook is subdivided into five sections termed: Fundamental Aspects of Soft Tissue Tumors, Diagnosis and Investigations,Types and Classification of Soft Tissue Tumors, Treatment of Soft Tissue Tumors, Prognosis of Soft Tissue Tumors.

Although this book does not cover all aspects related to soft tissue tumors, it is intended for at least two kinds of readers : residents of intermediate and advanced courses in medicine; oncologist, pathologist, surgeon, radiologists and all doctors whatever their specialty.

As editor in chief of this textbook, I would like to acknowledge the efforts made by all of the contributing authors and the entire editorial team in the publishing of this book especially Mrs Marija Radja for her very precious collaboration. Their dedication to the publication of the most contemporary and comprehensive scientific data has this excellent work as a result. I would like to dedicate this textbook to all my colleagues surgeons, pathologist, oncologist and radiologist at Sahloul Hospital, the past and

#### X Preface

actual deans of our university Professor Mohsen Jeddi, Sahloul Essoussi, Abdelkrim Zbidi, Nejib Mrizak and Ali Mtiraoui for their encouragement, and Professor Moncef Mokni pathologist in the department of pathology at Farhat Hached Hospital in Sousse.

I would like to express a special dedication to our first dean and professor of pathology who had dedicated a lot of his scientific efforts to the soft tissue tumors. His name is Professor Chedly Bouzakkoura. He passed away last year.

I also dedicate this book especially to Professor Ridha Ben Hadj Hamida, and Professor Rached Letaief, surgeons at the department of surgery in Sousse. A special dedication to Professor Gharbi Slaheddine and Hamadi Farhat, the first surgeons at Sousse University who died a few years ago.

You have taught me, since my first steps as resident, not only to manage different types of digestive malignancies using the highest quality surgical and medical care but as well instilled in me a sense of responsibility to improve as a person and as a clinician.

> **Fethi Derbel**  Professor of General and Digestive Surgery University Hospital Sahloul Sousse Tunisia

X Preface

Sousse.

clinician.

actual deans of our university Professor Mohsen Jeddi, Sahloul Essoussi, Abdelkrim Zbidi, Nejib Mrizak and Ali Mtiraoui for their encouragement, and Professor Moncef Mokni pathologist in the department of pathology at Farhat Hached Hospital in

I would like to express a special dedication to our first dean and professor of pathology who had dedicated a lot of his scientific efforts to the soft tissue tumors. His

I also dedicate this book especially to Professor Ridha Ben Hadj Hamida, and Professor Rached Letaief, surgeons at the department of surgery in Sousse. A special dedication to Professor Gharbi Slaheddine and Hamadi Farhat, the first surgeons at

You have taught me, since my first steps as resident, not only to manage different types of digestive malignancies using the highest quality surgical and medical care but as well instilled in me a sense of responsibility to improve as a person and as a

**Fethi Derbel** 

Sousse Tunisia

Professor of General and Digestive Surgery

University Hospital Sahloul

name is Professor Chedly Bouzakkoura. He passed away last year.

Sousse University who died a few years ago.

**Part 1** 

**Fundamental Aspects of** 

**Soft Tissue Tumors** 
