About Sarcoma
Sarcomas comprise a group of cancers that arise in the connective tissue of the body. Connective tissue consists of fat, bone, muscle, blood vessels, nerves and fibrous tissues. Sarcomas represent 1% of all adult cancers and 15% of all solid cancers in children. There are more than 70 different types of sarcomas. They are divided into two main groups: bone sarcomas and soft-tissue sarcomas. These groups are then further subclassified based on the type of connective tissue cell found in the tumor. Because connective tissue is located all over the human body, sarcomas can arise anywhere in the body. However, the majority (60%) occur in the extremities (arms or legs). Other locations are less common, with 20% arising in the retroperitoneum (in the abdomen area behind the organs), 10% in the trunk and 10% in the head and neck area. Common symptoms are swelling or a painless mass. One-third of patients complain of pain at the time of diagnosis.
The most common type of soft-tissue sarcoma is liposarcoma followed by leiomyosarcoma. The most common type of bone cancer is osteosarcoma, which usually is found in children. Another type of primary bone cancer is chondrosarcoma, which is found in the cartilage and is more common in adults.
Sarcoma Program Team
Our multidisciplinary team of physicians and experts work collaboratively to mange the diagnosis and treatment of these rare cancers. Our team consists of orthopaedic oncology surgeons, general surgeons, surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, physician assistants, registered nurses and other health care professionals working together to provide state of the art, individualized care for each Sarcoma patient.
Our team meets weekly during the multidisciplinary Sarcoma conference to review the diagnostic findings for each patient. This meeting is an opportunity to design a personalized care plan for each sarcoma patient. The team also uses this time to address the often complex issues surrounding the management of each Sarcoma patient. Patients are also reviewed for clinical trial participation as research is at the forefront of our mission of treating and curing Sarcoma.