Soft Tissue Sarcoma B009

Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP
76 of 2023 as amended
Balance of Probabilities SOP
77 of 2023 as amended
Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding
  • ICD-10-AM Codes: C22.3, C22.4, C32.3, C48, C49, C54.2, C96.2, C96.4, C96.8
Brief description

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of primary malignant neoplasms arising in "soft" connective tissue (e.g. muscle, tendon, ligaments, dermis, fat, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, nerve sheath, histiocytic, synovial and non-skeletal cartilage) but not bone or articular cartilage.  Soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon, making up < 1% of adult cancers.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on histopathology of a biopsy or excised lesion.

The relevant medical specialist is an oncologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Angiosarcoma
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma
  • Chondrosarcoma of non-skeletal cartilage (nose, ear etc)
  • Dendritic cell sarcomas:
    • interdigitating (dendritic cell) sarcoma
    • Langerhans cell sarcoma
    • follicular dendritic cell sarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma arising in soft tissue
  • Fibrosarcoma
  • Haemangiosarcoma
  • Leiomyosarcoma
  • Liposarcoma
  • Lymphangiosarcoma
  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
  • Malignant mast cell tumour (mast cell sarcoma)
  • Malignant mixed mullerian tumours
  • Malignant nerve sheath tumour
  • Malignant schwannoma
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma
  • Neurosarcoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Synovial sarcoma
  • Histiocytic sarcoma (malignant histiocytosis);
  • Malignant odontogenic tumours;
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma; and
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma;
Conditions not covered by SOP
  • Carcinosarcoma (malignant mesodermal mixed tumour or malignant mixed Mullerian tumour)
  • Chondrosarcoma, skeletal* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Ewing sarcoma of bone* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Kaposi sarcoma* - Kaposi sarcoma SOP
  • Lymphosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Mesothelioma* - Mesothelioma SOP
  • Osteosarcoma* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Reticulosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Benign neoplasms – Meningioma, neuroma
  • Haemopoietic neoplasia – Leukaemia * 
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma* - Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Myeloid sarcoma and grandulocytic sarcoma
  • Myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms * - Myeloma SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of articular cartilage (chondrosarcoma) * - malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of bone (osteosarcoma) * - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of brain or cerebral meninges *
  • Malignant neoplasm of larynx* - Malignant neoplasm of the larynx SOP
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma*- Non- Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Primary myelofibrosis * - Primary myelofibrosis SOP

* another SOP applies

Clinical onset

Soft tissue sarcomas usually present as a gradually enlarging painless mass. There may be symptoms associated with the site of the tumour or compression of adjacent structures.

Clinical worsening

The only SOP worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  Treatment is tailored for the circumstances of an individual case.  The outcome also varies widely depending on tumour type, stage and grade.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/sops-grouped-icd-body-system/q-z/soft-tissue-sarcoma-b009-c223c224c300c32

Last amended

Rulebase for soft tissue sarcoma

Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP
76 of 2023 as amended
Balance of Probabilities SOP
77 of 2023 as amended
Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding
  • ICD-10-AM Codes: C22.3, C22.4, C32.3, C48, C49, C54.2, C96.2, C96.4, C96.8
Brief description

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of primary malignant neoplasms arising in "soft" connective tissue (e.g. muscle, tendon, ligaments, dermis, fat, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, nerve sheath, histiocytic, synovial and non-skeletal cartilage) but not bone or articular cartilage.  Soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon, making up < 1% of adult cancers.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on histopathology of a biopsy or excised lesion.

The relevant medical specialist is an oncologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Angiosarcoma
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma
  • Chondrosarcoma of non-skeletal cartilage (nose, ear etc)
  • Dendritic cell sarcomas:
    • interdigitating (dendritic cell) sarcoma
    • Langerhans cell sarcoma
    • follicular dendritic cell sarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma arising in soft tissue
  • Fibrosarcoma
  • Haemangiosarcoma
  • Leiomyosarcoma
  • Liposarcoma
  • Lymphangiosarcoma
  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
  • Malignant mast cell tumour (mast cell sarcoma)
  • Malignant mixed mullerian tumours
  • Malignant nerve sheath tumour
  • Malignant schwannoma
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma
  • Neurosarcoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Synovial sarcoma
  • Histiocytic sarcoma (malignant histiocytosis);
  • Malignant odontogenic tumours;
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma; and
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma;
Conditions not covered by SOP
  • Carcinosarcoma (malignant mesodermal mixed tumour or malignant mixed Mullerian tumour)
  • Chondrosarcoma, skeletal* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Ewing sarcoma of bone* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Kaposi sarcoma* - Kaposi sarcoma SOP
  • Lymphosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Mesothelioma* - Mesothelioma SOP
  • Osteosarcoma* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Reticulosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Benign neoplasms – Meningioma, neuroma
  • Haemopoietic neoplasia – Leukaemia * 
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma* - Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Myeloid sarcoma and grandulocytic sarcoma
  • Myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms * - Myeloma SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of articular cartilage (chondrosarcoma) * - malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of bone (osteosarcoma) * - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of brain or cerebral meninges *
  • Malignant neoplasm of larynx* - Malignant neoplasm of the larynx SOP
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma*- Non- Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Primary myelofibrosis * - Primary myelofibrosis SOP

* another SOP applies

Clinical onset

Soft tissue sarcomas usually present as a gradually enlarging painless mass. There may be symptoms associated with the site of the tumour or compression of adjacent structures.

Clinical worsening

The only SOP worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  Treatment is tailored for the circumstances of an individual case.  The outcome also varies widely depending on tumour type, stage and grade.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/q-z/rulebase-soft-tissue-sarcoma

A course of therapeutic radiation

Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP
76 of 2023 as amended
Balance of Probabilities SOP
77 of 2023 as amended
Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding
  • ICD-10-AM Codes: C22.3, C22.4, C32.3, C48, C49, C54.2, C96.2, C96.4, C96.8
Brief description

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of primary malignant neoplasms arising in "soft" connective tissue (e.g. muscle, tendon, ligaments, dermis, fat, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, nerve sheath, histiocytic, synovial and non-skeletal cartilage) but not bone or articular cartilage.  Soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon, making up < 1% of adult cancers.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on histopathology of a biopsy or excised lesion.

The relevant medical specialist is an oncologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Angiosarcoma
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma
  • Chondrosarcoma of non-skeletal cartilage (nose, ear etc)
  • Dendritic cell sarcomas:
    • interdigitating (dendritic cell) sarcoma
    • Langerhans cell sarcoma
    • follicular dendritic cell sarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma arising in soft tissue
  • Fibrosarcoma
  • Haemangiosarcoma
  • Leiomyosarcoma
  • Liposarcoma
  • Lymphangiosarcoma
  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
  • Malignant mast cell tumour (mast cell sarcoma)
  • Malignant mixed mullerian tumours
  • Malignant nerve sheath tumour
  • Malignant schwannoma
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma
  • Neurosarcoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Synovial sarcoma
  • Histiocytic sarcoma (malignant histiocytosis);
  • Malignant odontogenic tumours;
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma; and
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma;
Conditions not covered by SOP
  • Carcinosarcoma (malignant mesodermal mixed tumour or malignant mixed Mullerian tumour)
  • Chondrosarcoma, skeletal* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Ewing sarcoma of bone* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Kaposi sarcoma* - Kaposi sarcoma SOP
  • Lymphosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Mesothelioma* - Mesothelioma SOP
  • Osteosarcoma* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Reticulosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Benign neoplasms – Meningioma, neuroma
  • Haemopoietic neoplasia – Leukaemia * 
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma* - Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Myeloid sarcoma and grandulocytic sarcoma
  • Myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms * - Myeloma SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of articular cartilage (chondrosarcoma) * - malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of bone (osteosarcoma) * - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of brain or cerebral meninges *
  • Malignant neoplasm of larynx* - Malignant neoplasm of the larynx SOP
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma*- Non- Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Primary myelofibrosis * - Primary myelofibrosis SOP

* another SOP applies

Clinical onset

Soft tissue sarcomas usually present as a gradually enlarging painless mass. There may be symptoms associated with the site of the tumour or compression of adjacent structures.

Clinical worsening

The only SOP worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  Treatment is tailored for the circumstances of an individual case.  The outcome also varies widely depending on tumour type, stage and grade.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/q-z/soft-tissue-sarcoma-b009-c223c224c300c32/rulebase-soft-tissue-sarcoma/course-therapeutic-radiation

Atomic radiation

Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP
76 of 2023 as amended
Balance of Probabilities SOP
77 of 2023 as amended
Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding
  • ICD-10-AM Codes: C22.3, C22.4, C32.3, C48, C49, C54.2, C96.2, C96.4, C96.8
Brief description

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of primary malignant neoplasms arising in "soft" connective tissue (e.g. muscle, tendon, ligaments, dermis, fat, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, nerve sheath, histiocytic, synovial and non-skeletal cartilage) but not bone or articular cartilage.  Soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon, making up < 1% of adult cancers.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on histopathology of a biopsy or excised lesion.

The relevant medical specialist is an oncologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Angiosarcoma
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma
  • Chondrosarcoma of non-skeletal cartilage (nose, ear etc)
  • Dendritic cell sarcomas:
    • interdigitating (dendritic cell) sarcoma
    • Langerhans cell sarcoma
    • follicular dendritic cell sarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma arising in soft tissue
  • Fibrosarcoma
  • Haemangiosarcoma
  • Leiomyosarcoma
  • Liposarcoma
  • Lymphangiosarcoma
  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
  • Malignant mast cell tumour (mast cell sarcoma)
  • Malignant mixed mullerian tumours
  • Malignant nerve sheath tumour
  • Malignant schwannoma
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma
  • Neurosarcoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Synovial sarcoma
  • Histiocytic sarcoma (malignant histiocytosis);
  • Malignant odontogenic tumours;
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma; and
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma;
Conditions not covered by SOP
  • Carcinosarcoma (malignant mesodermal mixed tumour or malignant mixed Mullerian tumour)
  • Chondrosarcoma, skeletal* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Ewing sarcoma of bone* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Kaposi sarcoma* - Kaposi sarcoma SOP
  • Lymphosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Mesothelioma* - Mesothelioma SOP
  • Osteosarcoma* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Reticulosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Benign neoplasms – Meningioma, neuroma
  • Haemopoietic neoplasia – Leukaemia * 
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma* - Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Myeloid sarcoma and grandulocytic sarcoma
  • Myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms * - Myeloma SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of articular cartilage (chondrosarcoma) * - malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of bone (osteosarcoma) * - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of brain or cerebral meninges *
  • Malignant neoplasm of larynx* - Malignant neoplasm of the larynx SOP
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma*- Non- Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Primary myelofibrosis * - Primary myelofibrosis SOP

* another SOP applies

Clinical onset

Soft tissue sarcomas usually present as a gradually enlarging painless mass. There may be symptoms associated with the site of the tumour or compression of adjacent structures.

Clinical worsening

The only SOP worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  Treatment is tailored for the circumstances of an individual case.  The outcome also varies widely depending on tumour type, stage and grade.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/q-z/soft-tissue-sarcoma-b009-c223c224c300c32/rulebase-soft-tissue-sarcoma/atomic-radiation

Being on land in Vietnam or in Vietnamese waters or consuming Vietnamese water

Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP
76 of 2023 as amended
Balance of Probabilities SOP
77 of 2023 as amended
Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding
  • ICD-10-AM Codes: C22.3, C22.4, C32.3, C48, C49, C54.2, C96.2, C96.4, C96.8
Brief description

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of primary malignant neoplasms arising in "soft" connective tissue (e.g. muscle, tendon, ligaments, dermis, fat, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, nerve sheath, histiocytic, synovial and non-skeletal cartilage) but not bone or articular cartilage.  Soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon, making up < 1% of adult cancers.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on histopathology of a biopsy or excised lesion.

The relevant medical specialist is an oncologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Angiosarcoma
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma
  • Chondrosarcoma of non-skeletal cartilage (nose, ear etc)
  • Dendritic cell sarcomas:
    • interdigitating (dendritic cell) sarcoma
    • Langerhans cell sarcoma
    • follicular dendritic cell sarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma arising in soft tissue
  • Fibrosarcoma
  • Haemangiosarcoma
  • Leiomyosarcoma
  • Liposarcoma
  • Lymphangiosarcoma
  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
  • Malignant mast cell tumour (mast cell sarcoma)
  • Malignant mixed mullerian tumours
  • Malignant nerve sheath tumour
  • Malignant schwannoma
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma
  • Neurosarcoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Synovial sarcoma
  • Histiocytic sarcoma (malignant histiocytosis);
  • Malignant odontogenic tumours;
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma; and
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma;
Conditions not covered by SOP
  • Carcinosarcoma (malignant mesodermal mixed tumour or malignant mixed Mullerian tumour)
  • Chondrosarcoma, skeletal* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Ewing sarcoma of bone* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Kaposi sarcoma* - Kaposi sarcoma SOP
  • Lymphosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Mesothelioma* - Mesothelioma SOP
  • Osteosarcoma* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Reticulosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Benign neoplasms – Meningioma, neuroma
  • Haemopoietic neoplasia – Leukaemia * 
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma* - Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Myeloid sarcoma and grandulocytic sarcoma
  • Myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms * - Myeloma SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of articular cartilage (chondrosarcoma) * - malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of bone (osteosarcoma) * - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of brain or cerebral meninges *
  • Malignant neoplasm of larynx* - Malignant neoplasm of the larynx SOP
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma*- Non- Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Primary myelofibrosis * - Primary myelofibrosis SOP

* another SOP applies

Clinical onset

Soft tissue sarcomas usually present as a gradually enlarging painless mass. There may be symptoms associated with the site of the tumour or compression of adjacent structures.

Clinical worsening

The only SOP worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  Treatment is tailored for the circumstances of an individual case.  The outcome also varies widely depending on tumour type, stage and grade.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/q-z/soft-tissue-sarcoma-b009-c223c224c300c32/rulebase-soft-tissue-sarcoma/being-land-vietnam-or-vietnamese-waters-or-consuming-vietnamese-water

Chronic solar skin damage

Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP
76 of 2023 as amended
Balance of Probabilities SOP
77 of 2023 as amended
Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding
  • ICD-10-AM Codes: C22.3, C22.4, C32.3, C48, C49, C54.2, C96.2, C96.4, C96.8
Brief description

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of primary malignant neoplasms arising in "soft" connective tissue (e.g. muscle, tendon, ligaments, dermis, fat, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, nerve sheath, histiocytic, synovial and non-skeletal cartilage) but not bone or articular cartilage.  Soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon, making up < 1% of adult cancers.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on histopathology of a biopsy or excised lesion.

The relevant medical specialist is an oncologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Angiosarcoma
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma
  • Chondrosarcoma of non-skeletal cartilage (nose, ear etc)
  • Dendritic cell sarcomas:
    • interdigitating (dendritic cell) sarcoma
    • Langerhans cell sarcoma
    • follicular dendritic cell sarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma arising in soft tissue
  • Fibrosarcoma
  • Haemangiosarcoma
  • Leiomyosarcoma
  • Liposarcoma
  • Lymphangiosarcoma
  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
  • Malignant mast cell tumour (mast cell sarcoma)
  • Malignant mixed mullerian tumours
  • Malignant nerve sheath tumour
  • Malignant schwannoma
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma
  • Neurosarcoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Synovial sarcoma
  • Histiocytic sarcoma (malignant histiocytosis);
  • Malignant odontogenic tumours;
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma; and
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma;
Conditions not covered by SOP
  • Carcinosarcoma (malignant mesodermal mixed tumour or malignant mixed Mullerian tumour)
  • Chondrosarcoma, skeletal* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Ewing sarcoma of bone* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Kaposi sarcoma* - Kaposi sarcoma SOP
  • Lymphosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Mesothelioma* - Mesothelioma SOP
  • Osteosarcoma* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Reticulosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Benign neoplasms – Meningioma, neuroma
  • Haemopoietic neoplasia – Leukaemia * 
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma* - Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Myeloid sarcoma and grandulocytic sarcoma
  • Myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms * - Myeloma SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of articular cartilage (chondrosarcoma) * - malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of bone (osteosarcoma) * - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of brain or cerebral meninges *
  • Malignant neoplasm of larynx* - Malignant neoplasm of the larynx SOP
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma*- Non- Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Primary myelofibrosis * - Primary myelofibrosis SOP

* another SOP applies

Clinical onset

Soft tissue sarcomas usually present as a gradually enlarging painless mass. There may be symptoms associated with the site of the tumour or compression of adjacent structures.

Clinical worsening

The only SOP worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  Treatment is tailored for the circumstances of an individual case.  The outcome also varies widely depending on tumour type, stage and grade.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/q-z/soft-tissue-sarcoma-b009-c223c224c300c32/rulebase-soft-tissue-sarcoma/chronic-solar-skin-damage

Cutaneous scarring

Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP
76 of 2023 as amended
Balance of Probabilities SOP
77 of 2023 as amended
Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding
  • ICD-10-AM Codes: C22.3, C22.4, C32.3, C48, C49, C54.2, C96.2, C96.4, C96.8
Brief description

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of primary malignant neoplasms arising in "soft" connective tissue (e.g. muscle, tendon, ligaments, dermis, fat, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, nerve sheath, histiocytic, synovial and non-skeletal cartilage) but not bone or articular cartilage.  Soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon, making up < 1% of adult cancers.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on histopathology of a biopsy or excised lesion.

The relevant medical specialist is an oncologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Angiosarcoma
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma
  • Chondrosarcoma of non-skeletal cartilage (nose, ear etc)
  • Dendritic cell sarcomas:
    • interdigitating (dendritic cell) sarcoma
    • Langerhans cell sarcoma
    • follicular dendritic cell sarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma arising in soft tissue
  • Fibrosarcoma
  • Haemangiosarcoma
  • Leiomyosarcoma
  • Liposarcoma
  • Lymphangiosarcoma
  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
  • Malignant mast cell tumour (mast cell sarcoma)
  • Malignant mixed mullerian tumours
  • Malignant nerve sheath tumour
  • Malignant schwannoma
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma
  • Neurosarcoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Synovial sarcoma
  • Histiocytic sarcoma (malignant histiocytosis);
  • Malignant odontogenic tumours;
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma; and
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma;
Conditions not covered by SOP
  • Carcinosarcoma (malignant mesodermal mixed tumour or malignant mixed Mullerian tumour)
  • Chondrosarcoma, skeletal* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Ewing sarcoma of bone* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Kaposi sarcoma* - Kaposi sarcoma SOP
  • Lymphosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Mesothelioma* - Mesothelioma SOP
  • Osteosarcoma* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Reticulosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Benign neoplasms – Meningioma, neuroma
  • Haemopoietic neoplasia – Leukaemia * 
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma* - Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Myeloid sarcoma and grandulocytic sarcoma
  • Myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms * - Myeloma SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of articular cartilage (chondrosarcoma) * - malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of bone (osteosarcoma) * - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of brain or cerebral meninges *
  • Malignant neoplasm of larynx* - Malignant neoplasm of the larynx SOP
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma*- Non- Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Primary myelofibrosis * - Primary myelofibrosis SOP

* another SOP applies

Clinical onset

Soft tissue sarcomas usually present as a gradually enlarging painless mass. There may be symptoms associated with the site of the tumour or compression of adjacent structures.

Clinical worsening

The only SOP worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  Treatment is tailored for the circumstances of an individual case.  The outcome also varies widely depending on tumour type, stage and grade.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/q-z/soft-tissue-sarcoma-b009-c223c224c300c32/rulebase-soft-tissue-sarcoma/cutaneous-scarring

Exposure to arsenic

Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP
76 of 2023 as amended
Balance of Probabilities SOP
77 of 2023 as amended
Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding
  • ICD-10-AM Codes: C22.3, C22.4, C32.3, C48, C49, C54.2, C96.2, C96.4, C96.8
Brief description

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of primary malignant neoplasms arising in "soft" connective tissue (e.g. muscle, tendon, ligaments, dermis, fat, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, nerve sheath, histiocytic, synovial and non-skeletal cartilage) but not bone or articular cartilage.  Soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon, making up < 1% of adult cancers.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on histopathology of a biopsy or excised lesion.

The relevant medical specialist is an oncologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Angiosarcoma
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma
  • Chondrosarcoma of non-skeletal cartilage (nose, ear etc)
  • Dendritic cell sarcomas:
    • interdigitating (dendritic cell) sarcoma
    • Langerhans cell sarcoma
    • follicular dendritic cell sarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma arising in soft tissue
  • Fibrosarcoma
  • Haemangiosarcoma
  • Leiomyosarcoma
  • Liposarcoma
  • Lymphangiosarcoma
  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
  • Malignant mast cell tumour (mast cell sarcoma)
  • Malignant mixed mullerian tumours
  • Malignant nerve sheath tumour
  • Malignant schwannoma
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma
  • Neurosarcoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Synovial sarcoma
  • Histiocytic sarcoma (malignant histiocytosis);
  • Malignant odontogenic tumours;
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma; and
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma;
Conditions not covered by SOP
  • Carcinosarcoma (malignant mesodermal mixed tumour or malignant mixed Mullerian tumour)
  • Chondrosarcoma, skeletal* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Ewing sarcoma of bone* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Kaposi sarcoma* - Kaposi sarcoma SOP
  • Lymphosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Mesothelioma* - Mesothelioma SOP
  • Osteosarcoma* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Reticulosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Benign neoplasms – Meningioma, neuroma
  • Haemopoietic neoplasia – Leukaemia * 
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma* - Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Myeloid sarcoma and grandulocytic sarcoma
  • Myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms * - Myeloma SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of articular cartilage (chondrosarcoma) * - malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of bone (osteosarcoma) * - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of brain or cerebral meninges *
  • Malignant neoplasm of larynx* - Malignant neoplasm of the larynx SOP
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma*- Non- Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Primary myelofibrosis * - Primary myelofibrosis SOP

* another SOP applies

Clinical onset

Soft tissue sarcomas usually present as a gradually enlarging painless mass. There may be symptoms associated with the site of the tumour or compression of adjacent structures.

Clinical worsening

The only SOP worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  Treatment is tailored for the circumstances of an individual case.  The outcome also varies widely depending on tumour type, stage and grade.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/q-z/soft-tissue-sarcoma-b009-c223c224c300c32/rulebase-soft-tissue-sarcoma/exposure-arsenic

Exposure to TCDD

Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP
76 of 2023 as amended
Balance of Probabilities SOP
77 of 2023 as amended
Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding
  • ICD-10-AM Codes: C22.3, C22.4, C32.3, C48, C49, C54.2, C96.2, C96.4, C96.8
Brief description

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of primary malignant neoplasms arising in "soft" connective tissue (e.g. muscle, tendon, ligaments, dermis, fat, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, nerve sheath, histiocytic, synovial and non-skeletal cartilage) but not bone or articular cartilage.  Soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon, making up < 1% of adult cancers.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on histopathology of a biopsy or excised lesion.

The relevant medical specialist is an oncologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Angiosarcoma
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma
  • Chondrosarcoma of non-skeletal cartilage (nose, ear etc)
  • Dendritic cell sarcomas:
    • interdigitating (dendritic cell) sarcoma
    • Langerhans cell sarcoma
    • follicular dendritic cell sarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma arising in soft tissue
  • Fibrosarcoma
  • Haemangiosarcoma
  • Leiomyosarcoma
  • Liposarcoma
  • Lymphangiosarcoma
  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
  • Malignant mast cell tumour (mast cell sarcoma)
  • Malignant mixed mullerian tumours
  • Malignant nerve sheath tumour
  • Malignant schwannoma
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma
  • Neurosarcoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Synovial sarcoma
  • Histiocytic sarcoma (malignant histiocytosis);
  • Malignant odontogenic tumours;
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma; and
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma;
Conditions not covered by SOP
  • Carcinosarcoma (malignant mesodermal mixed tumour or malignant mixed Mullerian tumour)
  • Chondrosarcoma, skeletal* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Ewing sarcoma of bone* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Kaposi sarcoma* - Kaposi sarcoma SOP
  • Lymphosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Mesothelioma* - Mesothelioma SOP
  • Osteosarcoma* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Reticulosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Benign neoplasms – Meningioma, neuroma
  • Haemopoietic neoplasia – Leukaemia * 
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma* - Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Myeloid sarcoma and grandulocytic sarcoma
  • Myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms * - Myeloma SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of articular cartilage (chondrosarcoma) * - malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of bone (osteosarcoma) * - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of brain or cerebral meninges *
  • Malignant neoplasm of larynx* - Malignant neoplasm of the larynx SOP
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma*- Non- Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Primary myelofibrosis * - Primary myelofibrosis SOP

* another SOP applies

Clinical onset

Soft tissue sarcomas usually present as a gradually enlarging painless mass. There may be symptoms associated with the site of the tumour or compression of adjacent structures.

Clinical worsening

The only SOP worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  Treatment is tailored for the circumstances of an individual case.  The outcome also varies widely depending on tumour type, stage and grade.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/q-z/soft-tissue-sarcoma-b009-c223c224c300c32/rulebase-soft-tissue-sarcoma/exposure-tcdd

Inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for soft tissue sarcoma

Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP
76 of 2023 as amended
Balance of Probabilities SOP
77 of 2023 as amended
Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding
  • ICD-10-AM Codes: C22.3, C22.4, C32.3, C48, C49, C54.2, C96.2, C96.4, C96.8
Brief description

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of primary malignant neoplasms arising in "soft" connective tissue (e.g. muscle, tendon, ligaments, dermis, fat, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, nerve sheath, histiocytic, synovial and non-skeletal cartilage) but not bone or articular cartilage.  Soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon, making up < 1% of adult cancers.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on histopathology of a biopsy or excised lesion.

The relevant medical specialist is an oncologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Angiosarcoma
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma
  • Chondrosarcoma of non-skeletal cartilage (nose, ear etc)
  • Dendritic cell sarcomas:
    • interdigitating (dendritic cell) sarcoma
    • Langerhans cell sarcoma
    • follicular dendritic cell sarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma arising in soft tissue
  • Fibrosarcoma
  • Haemangiosarcoma
  • Leiomyosarcoma
  • Liposarcoma
  • Lymphangiosarcoma
  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
  • Malignant mast cell tumour (mast cell sarcoma)
  • Malignant mixed mullerian tumours
  • Malignant nerve sheath tumour
  • Malignant schwannoma
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma
  • Neurosarcoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Synovial sarcoma
  • Histiocytic sarcoma (malignant histiocytosis);
  • Malignant odontogenic tumours;
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma; and
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma;
Conditions not covered by SOP
  • Carcinosarcoma (malignant mesodermal mixed tumour or malignant mixed Mullerian tumour)
  • Chondrosarcoma, skeletal* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Ewing sarcoma of bone* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Kaposi sarcoma* - Kaposi sarcoma SOP
  • Lymphosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Mesothelioma* - Mesothelioma SOP
  • Osteosarcoma* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Reticulosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Benign neoplasms – Meningioma, neuroma
  • Haemopoietic neoplasia – Leukaemia * 
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma* - Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Myeloid sarcoma and grandulocytic sarcoma
  • Myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms * - Myeloma SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of articular cartilage (chondrosarcoma) * - malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of bone (osteosarcoma) * - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of brain or cerebral meninges *
  • Malignant neoplasm of larynx* - Malignant neoplasm of the larynx SOP
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma*- Non- Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Primary myelofibrosis * - Primary myelofibrosis SOP

* another SOP applies

Clinical onset

Soft tissue sarcomas usually present as a gradually enlarging painless mass. There may be symptoms associated with the site of the tumour or compression of adjacent structures.

Clinical worsening

The only SOP worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  Treatment is tailored for the circumstances of an individual case.  The outcome also varies widely depending on tumour type, stage and grade.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/q-z/soft-tissue-sarcoma-b009-c223c224c300c32/rulebase-soft-tissue-sarcoma/inability-obtain-appropriate-clinical-management-soft-tissue-sarcoma

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP
76 of 2023 as amended
Balance of Probabilities SOP
77 of 2023 as amended
Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding
  • ICD-10-AM Codes: C22.3, C22.4, C32.3, C48, C49, C54.2, C96.2, C96.4, C96.8
Brief description

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of primary malignant neoplasms arising in "soft" connective tissue (e.g. muscle, tendon, ligaments, dermis, fat, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, nerve sheath, histiocytic, synovial and non-skeletal cartilage) but not bone or articular cartilage.  Soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon, making up < 1% of adult cancers.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on histopathology of a biopsy or excised lesion.

The relevant medical specialist is an oncologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Angiosarcoma
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma
  • Chondrosarcoma of non-skeletal cartilage (nose, ear etc)
  • Dendritic cell sarcomas:
    • interdigitating (dendritic cell) sarcoma
    • Langerhans cell sarcoma
    • follicular dendritic cell sarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma arising in soft tissue
  • Fibrosarcoma
  • Haemangiosarcoma
  • Leiomyosarcoma
  • Liposarcoma
  • Lymphangiosarcoma
  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
  • Malignant mast cell tumour (mast cell sarcoma)
  • Malignant mixed mullerian tumours
  • Malignant nerve sheath tumour
  • Malignant schwannoma
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma
  • Neurosarcoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Synovial sarcoma
  • Histiocytic sarcoma (malignant histiocytosis);
  • Malignant odontogenic tumours;
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma; and
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma;
Conditions not covered by SOP
  • Carcinosarcoma (malignant mesodermal mixed tumour or malignant mixed Mullerian tumour)
  • Chondrosarcoma, skeletal* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Ewing sarcoma of bone* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Kaposi sarcoma* - Kaposi sarcoma SOP
  • Lymphosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Mesothelioma* - Mesothelioma SOP
  • Osteosarcoma* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Reticulosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Benign neoplasms – Meningioma, neuroma
  • Haemopoietic neoplasia – Leukaemia * 
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma* - Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Myeloid sarcoma and grandulocytic sarcoma
  • Myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms * - Myeloma SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of articular cartilage (chondrosarcoma) * - malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of bone (osteosarcoma) * - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of brain or cerebral meninges *
  • Malignant neoplasm of larynx* - Malignant neoplasm of the larynx SOP
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma*- Non- Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Primary myelofibrosis * - Primary myelofibrosis SOP

* another SOP applies

Clinical onset

Soft tissue sarcomas usually present as a gradually enlarging painless mass. There may be symptoms associated with the site of the tumour or compression of adjacent structures.

Clinical worsening

The only SOP worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  Treatment is tailored for the circumstances of an individual case.  The outcome also varies widely depending on tumour type, stage and grade.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/q-z/soft-tissue-sarcoma-b009-c223c224c300c32/rulebase-soft-tissue-sarcoma/infection-human-immunodeficiency-virus-hiv

Inhaling gaseous vinyl chloride

Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP
76 of 2023 as amended
Balance of Probabilities SOP
77 of 2023 as amended
Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding
  • ICD-10-AM Codes: C22.3, C22.4, C32.3, C48, C49, C54.2, C96.2, C96.4, C96.8
Brief description

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of primary malignant neoplasms arising in "soft" connective tissue (e.g. muscle, tendon, ligaments, dermis, fat, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, nerve sheath, histiocytic, synovial and non-skeletal cartilage) but not bone or articular cartilage.  Soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon, making up < 1% of adult cancers.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on histopathology of a biopsy or excised lesion.

The relevant medical specialist is an oncologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Angiosarcoma
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma
  • Chondrosarcoma of non-skeletal cartilage (nose, ear etc)
  • Dendritic cell sarcomas:
    • interdigitating (dendritic cell) sarcoma
    • Langerhans cell sarcoma
    • follicular dendritic cell sarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma arising in soft tissue
  • Fibrosarcoma
  • Haemangiosarcoma
  • Leiomyosarcoma
  • Liposarcoma
  • Lymphangiosarcoma
  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
  • Malignant mast cell tumour (mast cell sarcoma)
  • Malignant mixed mullerian tumours
  • Malignant nerve sheath tumour
  • Malignant schwannoma
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma
  • Neurosarcoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Synovial sarcoma
  • Histiocytic sarcoma (malignant histiocytosis);
  • Malignant odontogenic tumours;
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma; and
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma;
Conditions not covered by SOP
  • Carcinosarcoma (malignant mesodermal mixed tumour or malignant mixed Mullerian tumour)
  • Chondrosarcoma, skeletal* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Ewing sarcoma of bone* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Kaposi sarcoma* - Kaposi sarcoma SOP
  • Lymphosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Mesothelioma* - Mesothelioma SOP
  • Osteosarcoma* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Reticulosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Benign neoplasms – Meningioma, neuroma
  • Haemopoietic neoplasia – Leukaemia * 
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma* - Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Myeloid sarcoma and grandulocytic sarcoma
  • Myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms * - Myeloma SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of articular cartilage (chondrosarcoma) * - malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of bone (osteosarcoma) * - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of brain or cerebral meninges *
  • Malignant neoplasm of larynx* - Malignant neoplasm of the larynx SOP
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma*- Non- Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Primary myelofibrosis * - Primary myelofibrosis SOP

* another SOP applies

Clinical onset

Soft tissue sarcomas usually present as a gradually enlarging painless mass. There may be symptoms associated with the site of the tumour or compression of adjacent structures.

Clinical worsening

The only SOP worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  Treatment is tailored for the circumstances of an individual case.  The outcome also varies widely depending on tumour type, stage and grade.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/q-z/soft-tissue-sarcoma-b009-c223c224c300c32/rulebase-soft-tissue-sarcoma/inhaling-gaseous-vinyl-chloride

Ionising radiation

Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP
76 of 2023 as amended
Balance of Probabilities SOP
77 of 2023 as amended
Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding
  • ICD-10-AM Codes: C22.3, C22.4, C32.3, C48, C49, C54.2, C96.2, C96.4, C96.8
Brief description

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of primary malignant neoplasms arising in "soft" connective tissue (e.g. muscle, tendon, ligaments, dermis, fat, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, nerve sheath, histiocytic, synovial and non-skeletal cartilage) but not bone or articular cartilage.  Soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon, making up < 1% of adult cancers.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on histopathology of a biopsy or excised lesion.

The relevant medical specialist is an oncologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Angiosarcoma
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma
  • Chondrosarcoma of non-skeletal cartilage (nose, ear etc)
  • Dendritic cell sarcomas:
    • interdigitating (dendritic cell) sarcoma
    • Langerhans cell sarcoma
    • follicular dendritic cell sarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma arising in soft tissue
  • Fibrosarcoma
  • Haemangiosarcoma
  • Leiomyosarcoma
  • Liposarcoma
  • Lymphangiosarcoma
  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
  • Malignant mast cell tumour (mast cell sarcoma)
  • Malignant mixed mullerian tumours
  • Malignant nerve sheath tumour
  • Malignant schwannoma
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma
  • Neurosarcoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Synovial sarcoma
  • Histiocytic sarcoma (malignant histiocytosis);
  • Malignant odontogenic tumours;
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma; and
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma;
Conditions not covered by SOP
  • Carcinosarcoma (malignant mesodermal mixed tumour or malignant mixed Mullerian tumour)
  • Chondrosarcoma, skeletal* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Ewing sarcoma of bone* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Kaposi sarcoma* - Kaposi sarcoma SOP
  • Lymphosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Mesothelioma* - Mesothelioma SOP
  • Osteosarcoma* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Reticulosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Benign neoplasms – Meningioma, neuroma
  • Haemopoietic neoplasia – Leukaemia * 
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma* - Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Myeloid sarcoma and grandulocytic sarcoma
  • Myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms * - Myeloma SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of articular cartilage (chondrosarcoma) * - malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of bone (osteosarcoma) * - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of brain or cerebral meninges *
  • Malignant neoplasm of larynx* - Malignant neoplasm of the larynx SOP
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma*- Non- Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Primary myelofibrosis * - Primary myelofibrosis SOP

* another SOP applies

Clinical onset

Soft tissue sarcomas usually present as a gradually enlarging painless mass. There may be symptoms associated with the site of the tumour or compression of adjacent structures.

Clinical worsening

The only SOP worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  Treatment is tailored for the circumstances of an individual case.  The outcome also varies widely depending on tumour type, stage and grade.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/q-z/soft-tissue-sarcoma-b009-c223c224c300c32/rulebase-soft-tissue-sarcoma/ionising-radiation

Lymphoedema

Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP
76 of 2023 as amended
Balance of Probabilities SOP
77 of 2023 as amended
Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding
  • ICD-10-AM Codes: C22.3, C22.4, C32.3, C48, C49, C54.2, C96.2, C96.4, C96.8
Brief description

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of primary malignant neoplasms arising in "soft" connective tissue (e.g. muscle, tendon, ligaments, dermis, fat, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, nerve sheath, histiocytic, synovial and non-skeletal cartilage) but not bone or articular cartilage.  Soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon, making up < 1% of adult cancers.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on histopathology of a biopsy or excised lesion.

The relevant medical specialist is an oncologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Angiosarcoma
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma
  • Chondrosarcoma of non-skeletal cartilage (nose, ear etc)
  • Dendritic cell sarcomas:
    • interdigitating (dendritic cell) sarcoma
    • Langerhans cell sarcoma
    • follicular dendritic cell sarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma arising in soft tissue
  • Fibrosarcoma
  • Haemangiosarcoma
  • Leiomyosarcoma
  • Liposarcoma
  • Lymphangiosarcoma
  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
  • Malignant mast cell tumour (mast cell sarcoma)
  • Malignant mixed mullerian tumours
  • Malignant nerve sheath tumour
  • Malignant schwannoma
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma
  • Neurosarcoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Synovial sarcoma
  • Histiocytic sarcoma (malignant histiocytosis);
  • Malignant odontogenic tumours;
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma; and
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma;
Conditions not covered by SOP
  • Carcinosarcoma (malignant mesodermal mixed tumour or malignant mixed Mullerian tumour)
  • Chondrosarcoma, skeletal* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Ewing sarcoma of bone* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Kaposi sarcoma* - Kaposi sarcoma SOP
  • Lymphosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Mesothelioma* - Mesothelioma SOP
  • Osteosarcoma* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Reticulosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Benign neoplasms – Meningioma, neuroma
  • Haemopoietic neoplasia – Leukaemia * 
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma* - Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Myeloid sarcoma and grandulocytic sarcoma
  • Myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms * - Myeloma SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of articular cartilage (chondrosarcoma) * - malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of bone (osteosarcoma) * - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of brain or cerebral meninges *
  • Malignant neoplasm of larynx* - Malignant neoplasm of the larynx SOP
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma*- Non- Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Primary myelofibrosis * - Primary myelofibrosis SOP

* another SOP applies

Clinical onset

Soft tissue sarcomas usually present as a gradually enlarging painless mass. There may be symptoms associated with the site of the tumour or compression of adjacent structures.

Clinical worsening

The only SOP worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  Treatment is tailored for the circumstances of an individual case.  The outcome also varies widely depending on tumour type, stage and grade.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/q-z/soft-tissue-sarcoma-b009-c223c224c300c32/rulebase-soft-tissue-sarcoma/lymphoedema

Obesity

Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP
76 of 2023 as amended
Balance of Probabilities SOP
77 of 2023 as amended
Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding
  • ICD-10-AM Codes: C22.3, C22.4, C32.3, C48, C49, C54.2, C96.2, C96.4, C96.8
Brief description

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of primary malignant neoplasms arising in "soft" connective tissue (e.g. muscle, tendon, ligaments, dermis, fat, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, nerve sheath, histiocytic, synovial and non-skeletal cartilage) but not bone or articular cartilage.  Soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon, making up < 1% of adult cancers.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on histopathology of a biopsy or excised lesion.

The relevant medical specialist is an oncologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Angiosarcoma
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma
  • Chondrosarcoma of non-skeletal cartilage (nose, ear etc)
  • Dendritic cell sarcomas:
    • interdigitating (dendritic cell) sarcoma
    • Langerhans cell sarcoma
    • follicular dendritic cell sarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma arising in soft tissue
  • Fibrosarcoma
  • Haemangiosarcoma
  • Leiomyosarcoma
  • Liposarcoma
  • Lymphangiosarcoma
  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
  • Malignant mast cell tumour (mast cell sarcoma)
  • Malignant mixed mullerian tumours
  • Malignant nerve sheath tumour
  • Malignant schwannoma
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma
  • Neurosarcoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Synovial sarcoma
  • Histiocytic sarcoma (malignant histiocytosis);
  • Malignant odontogenic tumours;
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma; and
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma;
Conditions not covered by SOP
  • Carcinosarcoma (malignant mesodermal mixed tumour or malignant mixed Mullerian tumour)
  • Chondrosarcoma, skeletal* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Ewing sarcoma of bone* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Kaposi sarcoma* - Kaposi sarcoma SOP
  • Lymphosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Mesothelioma* - Mesothelioma SOP
  • Osteosarcoma* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Reticulosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Benign neoplasms – Meningioma, neuroma
  • Haemopoietic neoplasia – Leukaemia * 
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma* - Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Myeloid sarcoma and grandulocytic sarcoma
  • Myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms * - Myeloma SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of articular cartilage (chondrosarcoma) * - malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of bone (osteosarcoma) * - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of brain or cerebral meninges *
  • Malignant neoplasm of larynx* - Malignant neoplasm of the larynx SOP
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma*- Non- Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Primary myelofibrosis * - Primary myelofibrosis SOP

* another SOP applies

Clinical onset

Soft tissue sarcomas usually present as a gradually enlarging painless mass. There may be symptoms associated with the site of the tumour or compression of adjacent structures.

Clinical worsening

The only SOP worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  Treatment is tailored for the circumstances of an individual case.  The outcome also varies widely depending on tumour type, stage and grade.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/q-z/soft-tissue-sarcoma-b009-c223c224c300c32/rulebase-soft-tissue-sarcoma/obesity

Treatment with immunosuppressive drugs

Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP
76 of 2023 as amended
Balance of Probabilities SOP
77 of 2023 as amended
Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding
  • ICD-10-AM Codes: C22.3, C22.4, C32.3, C48, C49, C54.2, C96.2, C96.4, C96.8
Brief description

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of primary malignant neoplasms arising in "soft" connective tissue (e.g. muscle, tendon, ligaments, dermis, fat, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, nerve sheath, histiocytic, synovial and non-skeletal cartilage) but not bone or articular cartilage.  Soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon, making up < 1% of adult cancers.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on histopathology of a biopsy or excised lesion.

The relevant medical specialist is an oncologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Angiosarcoma
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma
  • Chondrosarcoma of non-skeletal cartilage (nose, ear etc)
  • Dendritic cell sarcomas:
    • interdigitating (dendritic cell) sarcoma
    • Langerhans cell sarcoma
    • follicular dendritic cell sarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma arising in soft tissue
  • Fibrosarcoma
  • Haemangiosarcoma
  • Leiomyosarcoma
  • Liposarcoma
  • Lymphangiosarcoma
  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
  • Malignant mast cell tumour (mast cell sarcoma)
  • Malignant mixed mullerian tumours
  • Malignant nerve sheath tumour
  • Malignant schwannoma
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma
  • Neurosarcoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Synovial sarcoma
  • Histiocytic sarcoma (malignant histiocytosis);
  • Malignant odontogenic tumours;
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma; and
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma;
Conditions not covered by SOP
  • Carcinosarcoma (malignant mesodermal mixed tumour or malignant mixed Mullerian tumour)
  • Chondrosarcoma, skeletal* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Ewing sarcoma of bone* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Kaposi sarcoma* - Kaposi sarcoma SOP
  • Lymphosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Mesothelioma* - Mesothelioma SOP
  • Osteosarcoma* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Reticulosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Benign neoplasms – Meningioma, neuroma
  • Haemopoietic neoplasia – Leukaemia * 
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma* - Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Myeloid sarcoma and grandulocytic sarcoma
  • Myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms * - Myeloma SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of articular cartilage (chondrosarcoma) * - malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of bone (osteosarcoma) * - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of brain or cerebral meninges *
  • Malignant neoplasm of larynx* - Malignant neoplasm of the larynx SOP
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma*- Non- Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Primary myelofibrosis * - Primary myelofibrosis SOP

* another SOP applies

Clinical onset

Soft tissue sarcomas usually present as a gradually enlarging painless mass. There may be symptoms associated with the site of the tumour or compression of adjacent structures.

Clinical worsening

The only SOP worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  Treatment is tailored for the circumstances of an individual case.  The outcome also varies widely depending on tumour type, stage and grade.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/q-z/soft-tissue-sarcoma-b009-c223c224c300c32/rulebase-soft-tissue-sarcoma/treatment-immunosuppressive-drugs

Treatment with radium-224

Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP
76 of 2023 as amended
Balance of Probabilities SOP
77 of 2023 as amended
Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding
  • ICD-10-AM Codes: C22.3, C22.4, C32.3, C48, C49, C54.2, C96.2, C96.4, C96.8
Brief description

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of primary malignant neoplasms arising in "soft" connective tissue (e.g. muscle, tendon, ligaments, dermis, fat, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, nerve sheath, histiocytic, synovial and non-skeletal cartilage) but not bone or articular cartilage.  Soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon, making up < 1% of adult cancers.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on histopathology of a biopsy or excised lesion.

The relevant medical specialist is an oncologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Angiosarcoma
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma
  • Chondrosarcoma of non-skeletal cartilage (nose, ear etc)
  • Dendritic cell sarcomas:
    • interdigitating (dendritic cell) sarcoma
    • Langerhans cell sarcoma
    • follicular dendritic cell sarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma arising in soft tissue
  • Fibrosarcoma
  • Haemangiosarcoma
  • Leiomyosarcoma
  • Liposarcoma
  • Lymphangiosarcoma
  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
  • Malignant mast cell tumour (mast cell sarcoma)
  • Malignant mixed mullerian tumours
  • Malignant nerve sheath tumour
  • Malignant schwannoma
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma
  • Neurosarcoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Synovial sarcoma
  • Histiocytic sarcoma (malignant histiocytosis);
  • Malignant odontogenic tumours;
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma; and
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma;
Conditions not covered by SOP
  • Carcinosarcoma (malignant mesodermal mixed tumour or malignant mixed Mullerian tumour)
  • Chondrosarcoma, skeletal* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Ewing sarcoma of bone* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Kaposi sarcoma* - Kaposi sarcoma SOP
  • Lymphosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Mesothelioma* - Mesothelioma SOP
  • Osteosarcoma* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Reticulosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Benign neoplasms – Meningioma, neuroma
  • Haemopoietic neoplasia – Leukaemia * 
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma* - Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Myeloid sarcoma and grandulocytic sarcoma
  • Myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms * - Myeloma SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of articular cartilage (chondrosarcoma) * - malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of bone (osteosarcoma) * - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of brain or cerebral meninges *
  • Malignant neoplasm of larynx* - Malignant neoplasm of the larynx SOP
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma*- Non- Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Primary myelofibrosis * - Primary myelofibrosis SOP

* another SOP applies

Clinical onset

Soft tissue sarcomas usually present as a gradually enlarging painless mass. There may be symptoms associated with the site of the tumour or compression of adjacent structures.

Clinical worsening

The only SOP worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  Treatment is tailored for the circumstances of an individual case.  The outcome also varies widely depending on tumour type, stage and grade.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/q-z/soft-tissue-sarcoma-b009-c223c224c300c32/rulebase-soft-tissue-sarcoma/treatment-radium-224

Treatment with tamoxifen

Current RMA Instruments
Reasonable Hypothesis SOP
76 of 2023 as amended
Balance of Probabilities SOP
77 of 2023 as amended
Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding
  • ICD-10-AM Codes: C22.3, C22.4, C32.3, C48, C49, C54.2, C96.2, C96.4, C96.8
Brief description

Soft tissue sarcomas are a group of primary malignant neoplasms arising in "soft" connective tissue (e.g. muscle, tendon, ligaments, dermis, fat, blood vessels, fibrous tissue, nerve sheath, histiocytic, synovial and non-skeletal cartilage) but not bone or articular cartilage.  Soft tissue sarcomas are uncommon, making up < 1% of adult cancers.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on histopathology of a biopsy or excised lesion.

The relevant medical specialist is an oncologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Angiosarcoma
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma
  • Chondrosarcoma of non-skeletal cartilage (nose, ear etc)
  • Dendritic cell sarcomas:
    • interdigitating (dendritic cell) sarcoma
    • Langerhans cell sarcoma
    • follicular dendritic cell sarcoma
  • Ewing sarcoma arising in soft tissue
  • Fibrosarcoma
  • Haemangiosarcoma
  • Leiomyosarcoma
  • Liposarcoma
  • Lymphangiosarcoma
  • Malignant fibrous histiocytoma
  • Malignant mast cell tumour (mast cell sarcoma)
  • Malignant mixed mullerian tumours
  • Malignant nerve sheath tumour
  • Malignant schwannoma
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma
  • Neurosarcoma
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Synovial sarcoma
  • Histiocytic sarcoma (malignant histiocytosis);
  • Malignant odontogenic tumours;
  • Atypical fibroxanthoma; and
  • Mullerian adenosarcoma;
Conditions not covered by SOP
  • Carcinosarcoma (malignant mesodermal mixed tumour or malignant mixed Mullerian tumour)
  • Chondrosarcoma, skeletal* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Ewing sarcoma of bone* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Kaposi sarcoma* - Kaposi sarcoma SOP
  • Lymphosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Mesothelioma* - Mesothelioma SOP
  • Osteosarcoma* - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Reticulosarcoma* - Non-Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Benign neoplasms – Meningioma, neuroma
  • Haemopoietic neoplasia – Leukaemia * 
  • Hodgkin's lymphoma* - Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Myeloid sarcoma and grandulocytic sarcoma
  • Myeloma and malignant plasma cell neoplasms * - Myeloma SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of articular cartilage (chondrosarcoma) * - malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of bone (osteosarcoma) * - Malignant neoplasm of bone and articular cartilage SOP
  • Malignant neoplasm of brain or cerebral meninges *
  • Malignant neoplasm of larynx* - Malignant neoplasm of the larynx SOP
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma*- Non- Hodgkin lymphoma SOP
  • Primary myelofibrosis * - Primary myelofibrosis SOP

* another SOP applies

Clinical onset

Soft tissue sarcomas usually present as a gradually enlarging painless mass. There may be symptoms associated with the site of the tumour or compression of adjacent structures.

Clinical worsening

The only SOP worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  Treatment is tailored for the circumstances of an individual case.  The outcome also varies widely depending on tumour type, stage and grade.

Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/ccps-medical-research-library/statements-principles/q-z/soft-tissue-sarcoma-b009-c223c224c300c32/rulebase-soft-tissue-sarcoma/treatment-tamoxifen