Bone & Soft Tissue Sarcoma Program
INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE
Sarcomas are rare and complex tumors, accounting for about 1% of all new
adult cancer cases and affecting approximately 12,000 individuals per
year, according to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program
of the National Cancer Institute. It has been shown that patients who
seek sarcoma treatment from a multidisciplinary, subspecialized team who
maintains high patient volumes have the best clinical outcomes.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Hoag Bone & Soft Tissue Sarcoma Program, in alliance with USC Norris
Comprehensive Cancer Center, was the first comprehensive, integrated sarcoma
program in Orange County. Under the leadership of Program Director Nader
Nassif, M.D., and in collaboration with Hoag Orthopedic Institute, the
program brings together surgical oncologists, medical oncologists, radiation
oncologists, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, pathologists, and radiologists
who provide coordinated and advanced sarcoma care. The team is highly
experienced in the entire range of bone and soft tissue sarcomas and skillfully
manages the most complex cases, including retroperitoneal and intra-abdominal sarcomas.
In 2017, the Sarcoma Alliance designated Hoag an approved sarcoma site
based on their criteria of high volume, multidisciplinary physician participation,
access to clinical trials, specialized personnel, sarcoma tumor boards,
advanced imaging capabilities, and other benchmarks. Burton Eisenberg,
M.D., executive medical director of Hoag Family Cancer Institute and Grace
E. Hoag Executive Medical Director Endowed Chair has served on the Sarcoma
Alliance’s Medical Advisory Board since 2002.
DIAGNOSTICS
Tumor genetic profiling offered to all sarcoma patients at Hoag provides
an advantage to patients with this rare disease. Tumor samples are sent
for gene profiling and bioinformatic analysis that may help the team home
in on an individualized treatment option for each individual patient based
on the specific genetic defects. The results of this testing are presented
and discussed for clinical relevance at the Sarcoma Tumor Board.
Radiation treatment plan for sarcoma of the thigh
Hoag’s Radiology Department offers the full spectrum of advanced
imaging for bone and soft tissue sarcomas. In addition to CT scans that
are low dose with the highest resolution imaging capabilities well suited
to detecting bone legions, Hoag’s 3 Tesla (3T) MRI machines offer
the best high-resolution capabilities to more effectively delineate cancer
staging and find the extent of disease in soft tissue tumors.
Hoag is the first hospital on the W est Coast to routinely offer PET/MR,
which enhances ability to detect metastatic disease in bone and soft tissue
sarcoma patients. A dedicated radiologist who specializes in musculoskeletal
imaging is integrated with Hoag’s Bone & Soft Tissue Sarcoma Program.

TREATMENT
Tumor Board
A multidisciplinary Bone & Soft Tissue Sarcoma Tumor Board connects
the physician specialists and support staff to review patient cases and
develop treatment plans. It is attended by surgical and orthopedic oncologists,
medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, radiologists,
palliative care specialists, and the program nurse navigator.
The Bone & Soft Tissue Sarcoma Tumor Board meets on the 1ST, 3RD, and
5TH Friday of every month at 7:30 a.m. Videoconferencing connects specialists
at three sites including the Patty & George Hoag Cancer Center in
Newport Beach (primary site), the Hoag Cancer Center Irvine, and the USC
Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center. It is moderated by Nader Nassif, M.D.
To submit a case for the Bone & Soft Tissue Sarcoma Tumor Board, contact
Sarcoma Nurse Navigator, Lori Berberet, R.N., M.S., at 949-764-6656 or
[email protected] or Rosana Figueroa at 949-764-7044 or [email protected]
Surgery
Dr. Nader Nassif is one of few fellowship-trained orthopedic oncologists
in Orange County. His expertise is complemented by two other fellowship-trained
surgical oncologists in the program who have vast experience in bone and
soft tissue sarcomas. Through collaboration with plastic and reconstruction
surgeons, free flap and complex reconstruction are incorporated, significantly
enhancing care for the patient.
Medical Oncology
Hoag’s sarcoma program collaborates with medical oncologists who
subspecialize in sarcoma. This includes collaboration with medical oncologists
at USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center who focus all of their clinical
and research time on sarcoma.
Radiation Oncology
Hoag’s radiation oncologists are experienced in treating sarcoma
patients with advanced radiation techniques. The department maintains
state-of-the-art equipment and technology for the delivery of Helical
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy,
which can help reduce the risk of bone fracture in extremity sarcoma.
For more information call:
949-722-6237