Sarcoma Specialty Care Services

Sarcoma Diagnostic and Screening Services

When treating bone and soft tissue sarcomas, diagnosing and determining the stage, grade, and subtype of sarcoma is essential when planning effective treatment strategies. UPMC's Department of Pathology, one of the leading programs in the country, is an integral part of your multidisciplinary team.

Experts employ comprehensive, state-of-the-art diagnostic evaluations to assist your care team in determining the best course for your treatment. Patient assessments may include:

• Computed tomography (CT) scans
• High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Detailed radiographic evaluation
• Endoscopic biopsy or needle biopsy

Most biopsies are minimally invasive and may be done in your physician's office. However, some sarcomas are of a size and location that may require an open biopsy, which is done under general anesthesia by a surgeon.

Surgical Services for Sarcoma

Many soft tissue and bone sarcomas require surgery in combination with chemotherapy and radiation therapy to prevent the cancer from returning. Sarcoma Specialty Care surgeons have extensive experience in the management of bone and soft tissue sarcomas.

Orthopaedic surgeons use limb-sparing techniques to remove sarcomas when appropriate. During the procedure the surgeon works to spare healthy surrounding tissue when removing the tumor, which allows for a quicker recovery and less postoperative pain. Patients are often discharged within a few days.

While a majority of patients can benefit from this type of procedure, some tumors are of a size and extent that require traditional surgery. When this is the case, our surgeons take care in keeping incisions to a minimal size.

Sarcoma Specialty Care surgeons also have particular expertise in a number of highly specialized technologies, including regional therapy for treating diseases confined to a limb or organ. In many cases, UPMC surgeons have helped to develop or advance cutting-edge therapies, including:

• Isolated hepatic perfusion
• Laparoscopic surgeries for metastatic disease
• Limb and pelvic reconstruction

Medical Oncology Services for Sarcoma

Your medical oncology treatment will depend on your age, cancer stage, and tumor type. Our medical oncologists specialize in the treatment of bone and soft tissue sarcomas, and offer a full range of chemotherapy and biologic targeted therapies for all types and stages of cancer.

You have access to the latest therapies and clinical trials through UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, western Pennsylvania's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Physician-researchers at Hillman also are members of a national network for clinical trials in sarcoma, which provides convenient access to cutting-edge clinical research opportunities.

Radiation Therapy for Sarcoma

You have access to the largest variety of advanced radiation planning and delivery systems available in western Pennsylvania.

• 3D radiotherapy
• Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)
• Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)
• Radiosurgery
• CyberKnife® and Trilogy™ radiation delivery systems
• High Dose Rate brachytherapy

Supportive Services

• Behavioral medicine
• Nutrition
• Pain management
• Palliative care
• Social work