Abstract: Objective:To analyze the reasons for unplanned resection of soft tissue sarcomas and explore the treatment strategies for cancer surgery. Methods:The study included 105 patients with soft tissue sarcomas admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between October 2009and December 2012. The average age of the patients was 52years old. Among the patients, 65were males and 40were females. Up to 82patients underwent planned resection (Group A) in our hospital, and23 underwent unplanned resection (Group B) in other hospitals. Wide excision and radical resection were conducted in Group A, whereas extended resection was performed in Group B. General data, tumor location and size, resection margin, local recurrence and metastasis, and survival were statistically analyzed in the two groups. Results:The proportion attaining the margin of wide excision was obviously lower in Group A than in Group B ( P<0.05). The 3-year survival rate was significantly higher in Group B than in Group A ( P=0.001). Within an average follow-up of18months (3 months to 36months) in Group B,12patients died, including 9 with tumor metastasis and 3 with other diseases. Within an average follow-up of23months (5 months to36months) in Group A, 15patients died, including 12 with tumor metastasis and 3 with other diseases.Conclusion:Compared with planned surgical operation, unplanned resection of soft tissue sarcomas often leads to inadequate resection margin, which results in a high incidence of local recurrence and an increased mortality. Thus, clinicians should attempt to avoid unplanned resection of sarcomas.