What Are Soft Tissue Tumors?

Soft tissue tumors (STTs) are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms of mesenchymal origin that affect dogs and cats. The more aggressive forms are classified as soft tissue sarcomas (STSs). This group includes fibrosarcomas, liposarcomas, peripheral nerve sheath tumors, leiomyosarcomas, and numerous other neoplasms with varying biological behavior.

In the dog

Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are relatively common in dogs. A well-established histological grading system is available to estimate tumor aggressiveness and help guide treatment decisions with greater accuracy.

However, the impact of the specific histological subtype of sarcoma on clinical outcome and response to therapy remains poorly understood. STORM-Pets aims to address this knowledge gap by investigating the relationship between histological subtype, biological behavior, and clinical outcome, ultimately contributing to more accurate prognostic assessment and improved therapeutic decision-making.

In the cat

Soft tissue sarcomas are less common in cats, with the notable exception of feline injection-site sarcomas (FISSs), a common and locally aggressive form of sarcoma. The only histological grading system currently available for feline soft tissue sarcomas has not yet been universally accepted or internationally validated. As a result, diagnosis and prognostic assessment are often more challenging and uncertain.

By systematically collecting clinical, histopathological, and follow-up data on these uncommon neoplasms, STORM-Pets aims to address these knowledge gaps and improve our understanding of their biological behavior, ultimately supporting more accurate diagnosis, prognostic evaluation, and treatment planning.