Sarcoma is a very rare type of cancer. Even though it’s rare, the experts at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and WashU Medicine specialize in treating it.
Why Choose Siteman
When you have a rare cancer, experience matters. About 50 new patients with sarcoma choose Siteman Cancer Center for their care every year. Every patient has personal reasons for coming to us. But most of our patients share they feel hopeful and encouraged when they learn how we approach their care.
If you come to Siteman, you will notice how we treat you. You are unique to us, and so is your diagnosis. You will have an entire team working to treat your cancer. This team has experts from different backgrounds and specialties who work together just for you. We call this a “multidisciplinary” approach to cancer treatment. Multidisciplinary care is our best response to the complex problems cancer causes our patients.
We don’t just care for your cancer. We also support your life and your family with support services.
Our Siteman care coordinators – oncology-trained nurses who help with scheduling, finding the right specialist, and guidance – can help you through the process.
Call us directly or submit a form, and we will call you back.
What Is Sarcoma?
Sarcoma is a type of cancer that begins in bones or soft tissues like muscle and fat. It is different from most tumors because of the cells in it and where it begins to grow. It can develop almost anywhere in your body:
- In your arms and legs (called extremity sarcomas)
- In your chest or belly (called non-extremity sarcomas)
- In bones anywhere in your body
Most bone tumors actually come from cancer that started somewhere else, like the lung, colon, or breast. Primary bone sarcomas (cancer that starts in the bone) are less common than other types.
Common Types of Bone Sarcoma
- Osteosarcoma – The most common type of bone sarcoma
- Ewing sarcoma
- Chondrosarcoma
There are two kinds of sarcoma: bone sarcoma and soft tissue sarcoma. Sarcomas can begin with bone or soft tissue (like muscles, fat, and connective tissue). They can grow anywhere in the body.
Sarcomas are a rare kind of cancer. Only 15,000 people in the U.S. have sarcoma each year. That is about 1% of all tumors.
There are many different kinds of sarcomas. About 80 specific subtypes exist. There may be one or two cases of these tumors each year.
Finding a cancer center that specializes in sarcoma treatments is an important step. Our WashU Medicine physicians at Siteman Cancer Center are experts in every kind of rare tumor. They focus on learning exactly what kind of sarcoma you have for an accurate diagnosis. Then, they create a specific treatment plan for you.
Siteman’s Expertise with Sarcoma Cancer
Siteman Cancer Center has experts that specialize in treating sarcoma. We use team-based care to diagnosis and create a care plan for every patient.
Tumor boards
Multidisciplinary sarcoma teams at Siteman include experts like musculoskeletal surgeons; medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists; musculoskeletal and interventional radiologists; sarcoma pathologists, and more.
Each week, your team of experts attend a “tumor board.” Tumor boards are collaborative meetings where Siteman experts discuss your specific sarcoma, the care plan, how treatment has gone, and other specific details. Then, experts brainstorm new options and ideas drawing from their research, experience, and even clinical trials.
Innovative surgical options and procedures
Surgery is one of the best kinds of treatment for sarcoma tumors. Where they grow and their size can make surgeries difficult. Siteman has several specially trained bone cancer surgeons called orthopedic oncology specialists. Their knowledge and experience developing personalized surgical plans mean patients have more options. Some patients come to Siteman after they have been told they can’t have surgery. Others come to us for a second opinion.
Our teams take a patient’s whole life into consideration, not just curing their cancer. We try to protect mobility and avoid amputation. We combine innovative surgical options with treatments like radiation to be as limb-sparing as possible.
Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Program
The Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Program at Siteman specializes in treating sarcoma. Siteman’s AYA Program bridges the developmental differences of teens growing into adulthood. It also navigates the training differences between pediatrics and adult cancer care. We bring physician scientists, pediatric and adult oncologists, pathologists, psychologists, fertility specialists and other experts into a single team.
AYA also opens new clinical trials opportunities to patients with sarcoma who fall into this age range.
Clinical Trials for Sarcoma
Clinical trials are important research studies that are discovering new ways to treat sarcoma. Patients at Siteman are encouraged to join (called “enrolling”) studies and ask about them.
Trials give patients the chance to try new treatments before they are used for patients everywhere. Some Siteman Cancer Center physicians lead research of their own or were chosen to lead a study here. That means our patients have more clinical trial options than patients who get care other places.
Clinical trials for sarcoma are studying new ways to use chemotherapy and radiation to treat sarcoma. Plus, teens and young adults in our AYA Program have more access to studies than they would at other cancer center.
Because of clinical trials and their breakthroughs more patients with sarcoma have promising futures.
A Siteman care coordinator is the fastest path to referral, consult, or second opinion. Our care coordinators – oncology nurses who help with scheduling and navigation – will guide you from your first call.
