Sarcoma patient in the infusion center receiving chemo

Sarcomas are among the rarest and most complex types of cancer, which makes them difficult to treat. Not only have there been fewer studies related to sarcoma treatment, but the scarcity of patients diagnosed with some type of sarcoma translates into fewer cancer specialists with experience in treating the disease. Yet, the complexities of sarcoma require specialized knowledge and treatment options if patients are to have the best possible outcomes. For these reasons, the American Cancer Society recommends that patients with sarcoma seek treatment at a cancer hospital that has experienced sarcoma specialists.

Moffitt Cancer Center is the perfect choice. Our Sarcoma Program encompasses a multispecialty team of surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists and other professionals who are experienced with sarcoma treatment. In fact, we offer a variety of treatment options that aren’t widely available in the region or even the country.

What a sarcoma treatment plan might include

At Moffitt, our approach to cancer treatment always focuses on the individual needs of the patient. Therefore, those who seek sarcoma treatment at Moffitt can feel confident that they’ll receive care from sarcoma specialists who work together to recommend the best options available. Among the many factors that will be considered are the type of sarcoma the patient has and what stage it’s in. Although sarcoma can be broadly classified as a tumor that develops in either soft connective tissue or bone tissue, there are more than 70 variations, and treatment will be tailored to the specific type of sarcoma present. Here are some of the treatment options our sarcoma team might recommend:

Surgery

Total removal of the cancerous cells is the goal of sarcoma surgery, and for small, early-stage tumors, it might be the only treatment required. There are a number of surgical procedures that a sarcoma specialist might recommend, based on the location of the tumor and other factors.

Chemotherapy

For larger or more advanced-stage sarcomas, a patient’s treatment plan may include surgery followed by chemotherapy, a type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill any cancer cells that may have survived the surgery. In some cases, chemotherapy may be used alone or in combination with radiation therapy to treat sarcoma.

Radiation therapy

This is another treatment option for sarcoma that may be used in combination with surgery or on its own for patients who are not good candidates for surgery. Radiation therapy destroys cancerous cells by bombarding them with high-energy particles, such as X-rays.

Clinical trials

Moffitt is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center—the only one based in Florida—which means, among other things, that we’ve met the rigorous standards to qualify for federal funding for cancer research. Our cutting-edge research includes clinical trials that can provide our sarcoma patients with opportunities to participate in the newest treatments before they are widely available.

Immunotherapy

This type of cancer therapy uses drugs to boost the cancer-fighting ability of the body’s natural immune system. Immunotherapy has not yet been widely used to treat sarcoma, but researchers at Moffitt are developing protocols for treating sarcoma with immunotherapy drugs using both FDA-approved medications and preclinical compounds. Patients participating in our sarcoma clinical trials program may have access to immunotherapy as a treatment option.

Choose Moffitt for sarcoma treatment

At Moffitt, your cancer diagnosis is our top priority. We consistently rank among the top cancer hospitals in the nation, not only because of our groundbreaking research and above-average patient survival rates but also because of our commitment to supporting our patients in many ways beyond treatment.

If you or your loved one has received a sarcoma diagnosis, it’s critical that you receive the most effective treatment plan right away. When you reach out to Moffitt, you’ll be connected with a cancer expert as quickly as possible. Connect with us today at 1-888-663-3488 or use our online new patient registration form. No referral is needed.