What is sarcoma?
A sarcoma is a type of rare cancerous tumor that can occur most anywhere in the body, often in soft tissues, such as muscle or fat, or they can occur in the bone. Sarcomas account for less than 1% of all adult cancer diagnoses. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with sarcoma, it can be overwhelming to understand the complexities of these incredibly rare types of cancer.
The OSUCCC – James is central Ohio’s leading provider of sarcoma care. Our dedicated team of sarcoma researchers and multidisciplinary team of specialists are paving the way with clinical research breakthroughs and developing new treatments.
In fact, because the OSUCCC – James is a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, we have more than 20 ongoing clinical trials for you to potentially access cutting-edge sarcoma treatments.
Because there are more than 80 subtypes of both pediatric and adult sarcomas, the type and location of your sarcoma will determine your treatment options. In adults, soft tissue sarcomas are more commonly found than in the bone. Due to the rarity of sarcomas, it’s understandable that you would want a team of experts who are experienced in treating these cancers. Sarcoma specialists at the OSUCCC – James will work with you to determine the best treatment approaches based on your type of cancer.
Sarcoma symptoms
There are over 80 subtypes of sarcoma; therefore, symptoms will vary based on the tumor’s location and size.
Click on the locations for possible symptoms:
Bone and soft tissue sarcomas:
Anatomic locations:
We also treat benign (non-cancerous) bone and soft tissue tumors that may present similar symptoms like sarcomas, which also require the care of the multidisciplinary team.
It’s important to note that each sarcoma case is unique and you may or may not have any symptoms at all. If you notice any unusual symptoms, you should talk to your doctor to determine a cause.
What causes sarcoma?
Sarcoma occurs when cancerous cells replicate and grow in a specific area of our body.
Cells are important building blocks in different systems throughout our body. Our body’s cells contain instructions, called DNA, which tell the cells how to grow and replicate.
If the cells grow abnormally and don’t follow the instructions from the DNA correctly, the unhealthy abnormal cells can invade healthy tissues and surrounding cells. This can result in a tumor or a mass. In the case of sarcoma, these masses often occur in the extremities, such as arm or leg bones, or in soft tissues like fat or muscle.
There are also some risk factors for specific sarcomas too.
View our video series on sarcoma
Why choose the OSUCCC – James for sarcoma treatment?
When it comes to rare cancers like sarcomas, you want to choose an experienced treatment team to provide your care. Our experts specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of over 80 types of sarcomas.
Central Ohio’s only sarcoma clinic
Home to central Ohio’s only sarcoma clinic, the OSUCCC – James provides a multidisciplinary approach to address your unique treatment needs. We have a full-time staff of specialists solely dedicated to treating sarcomas; they do not specialize in any other disease. This level of specialization provides you with the expertise you need for your sarcoma care.
Sarcoma clinical trials at the OSUCCC – James
As a National Cancer Institute designated cancer center, the OSUCCC – James conducts phase I and phase II clinical trials on novel anticancer sarcoma drugs. Currently, we have over 20 clinical trials underway on sarcoma alone. Clinical trials can provide insight into the latest sarcoma treatments and can provide you with treatments you can’t get anywhere else.
Specialty treatments for rare sarcomas
At the OSUCCC – James, we’ve pioneered several innovative procedures to treat some of the rarest forms of sarcoma. From using 3D-printed bones to replace those affected by osteosarcoma to specialized endoscopic endonasal surgeries to treat skull-base sarcomas, our teams use the latest groundbreaking techniques to help treat these cancers.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a specific sarcoma and would like to see one of our specialists, or you would like a second opinion, please call The James Line to schedule an appointment at 800-293-5066.
Related resources
Prevention
Diagnosis and Screening
Types of Sarcoma
Treatment Team