The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is one of the few academic health centers with a dedicated Sarcoma Program where a team of experts from different medical specialties and fields of research collaborates daily.
As one of the most comprehensive clinical and research sarcoma centers anywhere and one of the early leaders in cell therapy for advanced sarcoma, we provide people with a distinct treatment advantage, including access to more clinical trials.
In addition, our research continues to fuel new understanding of this complex cancer — which has more than 80 adult and pediatric subtypes — and we regularly partner with other clinicians and scientists worldwide to innovate care, including with those at Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Comprehensive Sarcoma Program in Columbus to target pediatric sarcomas.
To learn more about opportunities to collaborate with us, call:
- 614-293-4420 for Orthopaedic Oncology
- 614-293-7171 for Soft Tissue Sarcoma
- 614-293-0463 for Sarcoma Medical Oncology
The James difference
Sarcoma may be rare (the American Cancer Society estimates around 13,590 new diagnoses of soft tissue sarcoma will be made in 2024, 7,700 in males and 5,890 in females), but that shouldn’t limit hope or the drive for breakthroughs — and it doesn’t at the OSUCCC – James.
With a team of more than 19 specialists in our comprehensive Sarcoma Program, we’re targeting the disease from all sides.
Team collaboration
Every person with sarcoma we treat in the Sarcoma Clinic or assess via physician referral is collectively evaluated by our multidisciplinary team, which speeds the time from diagnosis to treatment.
- Formal reviews of each person’s diagnosis, care plan and clinical trial eligibility happens during our weekly Tumor Boards, which bring together our sarcoma specialists from radiology, pathology, surgical oncology, medical oncology and radiation oncology.
- With many of our clinical spaces in the same building or nearby, we also regularly meet face-to-face daily to discuss findings or expedite follow-up appointments — often while the person is still in our offices.
- This collaboration continues throughout diagnosis, treatment, recovery and long-term follow-up, making it easier to adjust treatment, recommend additional testing, leverage new research findings, consider different clinical trial options or brainstorm novel approaches to care.
- Understanding the significant physical, emotional, financial and spiritual challenges that come with any cancer diagnosis, and especially one as rare as sarcoma, the OSUCCC – James also offers extensive support services to help individuals and caregivers manage life with cancer, including many specific to sarcoma:
- Sarcoma support group
- Sarcoma social worker
- Specialized physical therapy expertise for improved recovery after major limb sparing surgery
Taking a team approach to sarcoma care at Ohio State
Download video transcriptResearch and Clinical Trials
Our sarcoma researchers are internationally recognized. They include experts in oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, pharmacy and other medical disciplines at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, one of the largest academic health centers in the nation.
There are also more than 200 academic centers and institutes that are part of the 18 colleges and schools at The Ohio State University, which further boosts our research capabilities and links to clinical trials.
- An example of these cross-university partnerships is our ongoing work with The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine, which led to the development of ocular coherence tomography (OCT). First used on animals, OCT utilizes special lighting to quickly differentiate between healthy and cancerous tissue, and we now use it on people with sarcoma to guide surgery and confirm clear margins.
Offering new hope
One of the most promising advantages we can offer many people with sarcoma is participation in a clinical trial.
- Because the OSUCCC – James is a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and the third largest cancer hospital in the nation, we lead and participate in a large number of clinical trials.
- There are typically more than 20 sarcoma-related clinical trials in active recruitment at any given time.
And because every person’s prognosis and response to treatment can change, our team continually reevaluates clinical trial openings together, so no opportunity gets overlooked.
Learn more about our research and clinical trials
Diagnostics
To confirm sarcoma, the most common imaging tests we use include x-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and when spread is suspected, bone scans. Biopsies — either core needle, fine needle, incisional, excisional or during a bronchoscopy — allow further classification by type, and additional testing may be required for soft tissue sarcomas, osteosarcomas or other subtypes. All results are shared with referring providers.
While there isn’t a standard screening test for sarcoma, the OSUCCC – James may recommend genetic testing for people with a known issue associated with risk factors or a family history of sarcoma.
Pioneering treatment and surgical techniques
Ohio State’s sarcoma team continues to innovate. In addition to better known procedures like allograft and autograft reconstruction or metallic implants (both pre-made and custom), we’ll explore every possible option for every patient, especially those who have been told that solutions are limited. Our determined resolve has led to the creation of new definitions and uses for advanced treatments, such as:
- Snap-on limbs made possible by osseointegration and targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR) to enhance healing, lessen pain and improve mobility and control. Although combining these two techniques is still in research development, Ohio State has been a pioneer in TMR and is working to define how osseointegration is useful for patients who lose bone due to cancer.
- Reverse shoulder replacement, which reverses placement of the ball and socket joint to reduce pain and restore more complete range of motion following upper arm bone loss.
- Rotationplasty, or tibial turnup plasty, which involves use of the ankle joint as a replacement for the knee joint with the foot reversed as a platform for a new prosthesis. This reduces long-term pain and gives the patient better mobility.
- 3D printing to help create surgical guides and create made-to-size replacement bones.
- FLASH proton therapy, which precisely targets tumor cells with positively charged particles for less than one second without damaging nearby healthy tissue and organs, is now available to both children and adults at Ohio State’s 55,000 square-foot Proton Therapy Center.
In addition to surgery and advanced treatments, we also offer programs to rebuild strength, extend mobility and boost confidence to enhance the long-term quality of life for each person with sarcoma.
These specialized services include amputee rehabilitation, orthopedic rehabilitation, occupational therapy, psychological and social support and even a driver rehabilitation program.
In collaboration with Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Ohio State is also developing an Adolescent/Young Adult (AYA) Program to provide more targeted support and help pediatric sarcoma survivors transition to adult sarcoma care.
Global partnerships
As a leader in sarcoma research, medical therapies, surgery and recovery, our team is committed to improving sarcoma care worldwide, especially in underserved communities or low-income countries.
- Our team members actively participate in national and international medical societies to share practical knowledge, skills and treatment experience.
- Our clinicians and scientists participate on sarcoma review boards and advisory panels and hold leadership positions for various national and international sarcoma organizations, including:
- American Joint Committee on Cancer’s Sarcoma Committee
- PUSH (Pushing Ultra-Rare Sarcoma Towards Hope) initiative at the University of Milan
- International Retroperitoneal (intra-abdominal) Sarcoma Consortium
- Desmoid working group at the University of Heidelberg
- Sarcoma Foundation of America
- National Comprehensive Cancer Network
- Musculoskeletal Tumor Society
- Connective Tissue Oncology Society
- Most recently, we’ve also established an ongoing partnership and regular collaboration with physicians in Ecuador to help them build their own sarcoma programs and raise national standards of care.
- We also provide treatment for international visitors to the James with the support of our Destination Medicine Global Health Care program, which exists to make sure that distance and language are not obstacles to outstanding care.