Are you aware of the strange lumps that appear on your body? Let's talk about Solitary Fibrous Tumor (SFT)

Sometimes you get little lumps and bumps all over your body, right? Most of the time, we don't pay much attention to them. We think, "This could just be a cyst" or "It could be a fatty tumor." But sometimes it's good to be a little concerned about things like this. Today, we're going to talk about a very rare, but very important type of tumor to be aware of. We call these Solitary Fibrous Tumors (SFTs) .

What exactly is Solitary Fibrous Tumor (SFT)?

Simply put, SFT is a type of tumor that forms in the soft tissues of our body. Although they can form anywhere in the body, they are most commonly found in the protective covering around our lungs.

There are two types of these SFT nuts.

1. Some are very slow-growing and do not spread to other places (non-cancerous - benign) .

2. The other type is cancerous/malignant, which grows very quickly and can spread to other parts of the body .

What was this called in the old days?

In the past, doctors thought that these tumors only developed in the chest cavity. That's why they were called "benign fibrous tumors of the pleura." Here, `(pleura)` refers to the thin membrane that lines the inside of our chest wall and protects our lungs. This membrane also produces the lubricant that our lungs need to move easily when we breathe.

But now we know that these tumors can develop anywhere in the body, not just in the chest, such as the liver, brain, and neck. So that old name is hardly used anymore.

Are SFT and Pleural Mesothelioma two different things?

Yes, these are two completely different situations.

• Pleural Mesothelioma: This is a cancer that develops in the lining of the lungs (pleura). The main cause of this is the inhalation of asbestos .
• Solitary Fibrous Tumor (SFT): These SFTs have nothing to do with asbestos. They are also less likely to become cancerous. Also, unlike mesothelioma, SFTs can develop anywhere in the body. The exact cause of SFTs is not yet known .

Who is at higher risk of developing these tumors?

SFT can develop in anyone. However, it is most common in people between the ages of 50 and 60. It is very rare in young children. In fact, SFT accounts for less than 2% of all reported soft tissue tumors.

What causes SFT?

The exact cause of this is not yet known, but researchers believe that two of our genes , NAB2 and STAT6, fuse together. The current view is that this altered gene may increase the risk of developing SFT.

What symptoms does SFT cause?

These SFT tumors often grow very slowly. So about half of people with SFT do not have any symptoms . Symptoms only begin to appear after the tumor has grown large enough to push on nearby organs, bones, or other tissues.

Symptoms vary depending on where the tumor is located. Let's see how that works.

How does a doctor detect that this is an SFT?

Tests vary depending on your symptoms and the suspected location of the tumor. The main tests are:

• Eye exam: If you have vision problems, special tests such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) can help determine the cause of your eye problems.
• Imaging Scans: An X-ray, CT scan, MRI scan, Ultrasound scan , or PET scan may be done to see exactly where the tumor is and its size.
• Biopsy: This is the most important and definitive test . A very small piece of tissue is taken from the tumor and examined under a microscope. This can confirm 100% whether the tumor is cancerous or not.

World Health Organization (WHO) classification

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified SFT tumors into grades based on their severity. This grade refers to how fast the tumor is likely to grow, based on how the cells look under a microscope. This is different from cancer stages.

• Grade I (Low-grade): These are the least aggressive types. The cells are mostly like normal cells. They grow very slowly. They may not cause any symptoms.
• Grade II (Intermediate-grade): Cells in this grade look a little more abnormal than those in Grade I. Therefore, the growth rate is a little higher. The chance of becoming cancerous is also higher.
• Grade III (High-grade): These contain the most abnormal cells. These tumors are aggressive, grow quickly, and are more likely to come back after treatment, become cancerous, and spread to other parts of the body.

What are the treatments for SFT?

The main and best treatment for an SFT tumor is surgery . The doctor will try to remove the entire tumor surgically.

In some cases, surgery may not be possible depending on the location of the tumor. In such cases, radiation therapy is given to shrink the tumor and destroy it. Sometimes, radiation therapy is also given before surgery to crush the tumor and make it easier to remove.

What are the possible complications of SFT?

The biggest fear for someone with an SFT is whether it will become cancerous or spread to other areas (metastatic cancer). This risk can be greatly reduced by having surgery to remove the tumor.

Other complications may occur depending on the location of the tumor.

• Paralysis of body parts
• Pleural effusion (fluid accumulation between the lung membranes)
• Damage to the nerves that carry messages from the eyes to the brain (Optic atrophy)

Outlook and when to see a doctor?

Many people recover completely after surgery to remove the tumor. However, as we mentioned earlier, it is very rare for a tumor to come back and become cancerous. Therefore, your doctor will perform regular scans to check for any recurrence.

If you experience any of these symptoms, be sure to see a doctor:

• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Excessive fatigue for no reason
• Vision problems

When you see your doctor, don't forget to ask these questions:

• Where is the tumor?
• Can this be removed with surgery?
• What are the signs that a tumor may recur?
• How often should I get a scan?
• What other complications should I be concerned about?

It's normal to feel scared when you find out you have a tumor. But remember, although SFT is a rare condition, it can be completely cured with proper treatment. The most important thing is to seek medical advice as soon as possible, regardless of the symptoms.