Sarcoma and Orthopaedic Center

The Sarcoma and Orthopaedic Center treats more than 100 different cancers and tumors of the bones and soft tissue, including muscle, joint tissue and blood vessels. These tumors can arise all over the body, including in the arms, legs, trunk and abdomen.

Sarcomas overall are rare and complex. Some are extremely rare, with only a few dozen cases diagnosed each year.

Research shows that experience matters in cancer care. The physicians at the Sarcoma and Orthopaedic Center are among the most skilled and experienced in the world in diagnosing and treating these rare diseases.

Successful sarcoma treatment often includes several different interventions. These can include:

• Limb-sparing surgery to help save arms and legs.
• Radiation therapy treatments that precisely target the tumor while limiting the impact on nearby healthy tissue. These can be part of a treatment plan that spares the patient’s limb and limb function. Specific treatments include intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), proton therapy and stereotactic body radiation therapy.
• Advanced cancer drugs. These include chemotherapy to kill cancer cells; targeted therapy, which can slow or stop the growth of cancer; and immunotherapy, which recruits the body’s immune system in the fight against disease.
• Clinical trials of new treatments or new treatment combinations.

Orthopaedic care

In addition to treating sarcomas of the bone, our orthopaedic team treats other benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors. These include benign soft tissue masses such as lipomas, fibromas, giant cell tumors and cysts, as well as cancers from other locations that have spread to the bone and muscle. Our team also treats pediatric patients with benign and malignant bone and soft tissue tumors.

The center treats orthopaedic problems faced by many cancer patients. These include avascular necrosis (bone death due to a lack of blood), arthritis, fractures and osteoporosis. Patients can receive care for these conditions from a multidisciplinary team of experts, including surgeons, rheumatologists and pain management specialists, among others.

Complex abdominal and pelvic surgery

Most abdominal sarcomas form in the retroperitoneum, an area toward the back of the abdomen. Surgery to remove these tumors is complex and often requires a team of specialists. The Sarcoma and Orthopedic Center is home to some of the world’s most skilled and experienced surgeons in the area of abdominal and pelvic sarcoma surgery. They work with the patient’s full care team to develop a plan offering the best chance for a successful procedure.

Many patients also benefit from the Pelvis Sarcoma Center of Excellence within the Sarcoma and Orthopaedic Center. The Center of Excellence is designed to improve pelvic sarcoma patient education and outcomes through greater collaboration among physicians and the physical/occupational therapists involved in patient care.