Sarcoma Treatment Options
Treatment approaches for sarcoma can vary. Surgical resection, radiation
therapy and chemotherapy are used either individually or in combinations
based on the subtype, location, size, grade, stage of the tumor.
Surgical Treatment
The main goal of surgery is to remove the tumor completely. For certain
tumors, treatment may require surgeons from different disciplines to work
together to successfully and safely remove the tumor. For extremity sarcomas,
the second goal in the surgical treatment of sarcoma is limb salvage and
preserving function and quality of life.
Each patient’s treatment plan will be different. We encourage you
to speak in detail with our Sarcoma Program team members on the plan they
recommend for you.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is used on some patients with sarcomas. Radiation therapy
can kill microscopic disease, reducing the risk of local recurrence (the
cancer returning in the same location). Sometimes, radiation can shrink
a tumor to facilitate surgery, such that a critical structure like a nerve
or blood vessel bundle can be spared.
Radiation therapy can be utilized before or after surgery, but is determined
based on a case by case basis.
Hoag Radiation Oncology Lobby
Hoag's Radiation Oncologists (left to right) Brian Kim, M.D., Craig
Cox, M.D. and Peter Chen, M.D.
Radiation Therapy Modalities
Hoag Radiation Oncology offers advanced therapy to effectively treat sarcoma.
One therapy that is often used at Hoag is Intensity Modulated Radiation
Therapy (IMRT). IMRT improves the delivery of radiation. Studies show
that this technique may improve the efficacy of treatment and can reduce
the risk of side effects, such as bone fracture in extremity sarcoma.
Hoag provides this therapy option utilizing one of these advanced machines:
Tomotherapy, which delivers a special form of IMRT called Helical IMRT or Elekta Agility,
which delivers a special form on IMRT called
Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT).
Your team will discuss the different treatment options with you, to determine
the best plan of care.
Chemotherapy
Although not utilized in all cases, Chemotherapy may be of benefit in certain
subtypes of sarcoma. At Hoag, our medical oncologists offer the “standard”
chemotherapy for sarcoma. Through an affiliation with Keck Medicine of
USC, Hoag’s Sarcoma Program also has access to the latest clinical
trials that will test and evaluate the efficacy of new drugs for sarcoma.
These trials include targeted therapies and immunotherapy.
To learn more about Hoag Sarcoma Program, or to contact the Hoag Sarcoma
Program Clinic, please call 877-427-8208.