Staging and prognostic factor evaluation in soft tissue sarcoma.

Over the past decade, there has been significant emphasis on the elucidation of clinicopathologic prognostic factors in STS. This has allowed for identification of the "high-risk" patient at presentation. Molecular factors may further refine the identification of high-risk patients. Setting-related prognostic factors are often amenable to change, and all STS patients should probably be referred for specialty consultation before treatment so that they can benefit from optimal diagnostic, therapeutic, and multidisciplinary approaches. The ongoing pursuit of prognostic issues should also recognize the dynamic nature of prognosis course in a patient's disease.