Sarcoma

Female doctor showing male patient his test results on a tablet.

Sarcoma Care Tailored to You

Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that begins in the bone or soft tissues, such as muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves or connective tissue. Because sarcomas can develop almost anywhere in the body and include many different subtypes, they require highly specialized care from an experienced oncology team.

At AdventHealth Cancer Institute, our unique whole‑person approach supports your body, mind and spirit at every step of your treatment journey. Our expert cancer team has experience treating a wide range of sarcoma types and works together to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific diagnosis.

You’re unique, and you deserve individualized care. Your oncology team will personalize your course of treatment strategically, prescribing individual therapies as needed. Depending on your diagnosis, your treatment plan may include some, none or a combination of the cancer therapies below.

Surgical Treatment: Surgery can be a promising step forward on your path to healing from early-stage sarcoma.
Your dedicated team of cancer specialists will work together to recommend the strongest, most effective treatment plan for you. If the sarcoma is identified early, surgery may be the only treatment you need. Or, if it has spread to other areas of the body, surgery is used in combination with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy.
Whenever possible, we will treat your cancer with the most minimally invasive procedure.

Learn More About Oncology Surgery
Chemotherapy: Nothing matters more to us than your whole health — and we know you want to get well and get home. Depending on the type of sarcoma and how advanced it is, chemotherapy may be a part of our treatment. We use chemotherapy as an adjuvant, or supportive, therapy in combination with other treatments, to help make sure hidden sarcoma cells don’t grow.
From the moment you arrive for your chemo treatment, your nurse will be there to greet you and guide you, keeping you and your loved one informed, comfortable and in good spirits throughout your visit.
How Does Chemotherapy Work?
Using a combination of specialized intravenous drugs, chemotherapy has the power to destroy or slow down the growth of fast-growing cancer cells in every part of your body.
At AdventHealth Cancer Institute, our oncology experts take an individualized approach to your chemotherapy treatment. Depending on your type of sarcoma, we’ll determine which drug or combination of drugs is best for you. Chemotherapy may be used in combination with surgery and/or radiation therapy. Along the way, we're here to help however we can, answering any questions and helping you stay strong and optimistic before, during and after your treatment.

Learn More About Chemotherapy Treatment
Radiation Therapy: While radiation therapy is one of the most common treatments for sarcoma, at AdventHealth Cancer Institute, we deliver it with expertise, guidance and uncommon compassion. Using sophisticated radiation technology, we can target tumors in and around important structures in the body with amazing precision, attacking the cancer and leaving healthy tissue untouched. Depending on your diagnosis, your dedicated team may recommend radiation alone, but in many cases, we combine it with surgery and chemotherapy.
How Does Radiation Therapy Work?
Across our cancer institute, our oncology experts take an individualized approach to your treatment plan. Radiation therapy targets specific areas of the body, shrinking tumors and killing cancer cells by damaging their DNA.
When treating sarcoma, radiation therapy is usually delivered through one of the following ways:
External radiation, which delivers radiation in a concentrated beam to keep nearby healthy tissue unaffected
Internal radiation guided by ultrasound or using our MRI-guided HDR brachytherapy, a minimally invasive method that delivers concentrated doses of radiation, keeping healthy nearby tissue safer
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), a high-precision treatment option that sees the tumor in its 3D form and directs intense beams in a more targeted procedure
Throughout your treatment, your nurses and your radiology care team are there to keep you and your support system informed, comfortable and uplifted.

We take a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to your cancer care, which means different types of specialists work together as a team to determine the most personalized and effective treatment plan for you.

Sajeve Thomas, MD

Hematology and Oncology
Peter Peng, MD, FACS

Surgical Oncology
Ryan Durfee, MD

Orthopedic Surgery
Daniel Fassett, MD

Spine Surgery
Richard Klein, MD, MPH, CLT-LANA, FACS

Plastic Surgery
James Mayo, MD

Plastic Surgery
Sabrina Pavri, MD, MBA, FACS

Plastic Surgery

Question: What does sarcoma look like?
Answer:
Symptoms vary depending on the tumor’s location. Some sarcomas may not cause noticeable symptoms in the early stages, while others may feel like a painless lump under your skin.
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Some don’t cause pain until they grow large enough to press against an organ.
Other sarcomas can cause long-lasting bone pain or swelling in your arm or leg that worsens at night. These changes may limit your movement.
Symptoms of sarcoma may include:
A new lump that may or may not hurt
Back pain
Pain in an extremity (arm/leg), or abdomen/pelvic area
Trouble moving your arm or leg (from weakness, pain, or swelling)
Unexplained weight loss
Sarcoma shares symptoms with many other conditions. Your provider can help determine whether your symptoms are related to sarcoma or another illness or condition.

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Question: How is sarcoma diagnosed?
Answer:
Following a thorough history and physical examination, your doctor may use any of the following tests to make a sarcoma diagnosis:
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X-ray: An X-ray uses small amounts of radiation to take pictures of bones and soft tissues in your body.
Computed tomography (CT) scan: A CT scan uses computers to combine many X-ray images into cross-sectional views of the inside of your body.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI uses large magnets, radio waves and a computer to create clear images of the inside of your body. Your doctor may order an MRI to see more detailed pictures if an X-ray shows something abnormal.
PET scan: A PET scan uses a special glucose tracer that clings to cells using high amounts of glucose, like cancer cells. A PET scan shows parts of your body where glucose levels are unusually high, which would suggest a tumor.
Biopsy: During a biopsy, your surgeon removes tissue from your tumor and sends the sample to a lab. A specialist called a pathologist analyzes the tissue under a microscope to see if it’s a sarcoma. This analysis helps your doctor understand what type of sarcoma you have and what treatments may work best.

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Question: What causes sarcoma and who is at risk?
Answer:
Sarcoma can arise in children and adults. Most sarcomas have no known cause; however, some cases have been linked to past exposure to radiation, certain chemicals or viruses.
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Certain factors have been linked to an increased risk of developing sarcoma, including:
Past exposure to radiation, such as radiation therapy used to treat another type of cancer
Exposure to specific chemicals or toxins
Certain viral infections (in rare cases)
It’s important to note that having one or more risk factors does not mean a person will develop sarcoma, and many people diagnosed with sarcoma have no identifiable risk factors at all.

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Question: Can I reduce my risk of developing sarcoma or prevent it?
Answer:
Most sarcomas develop without a clear cause. However, it might be possible to reduce the overall risk of developing certain types of sarcomas by:
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Avoiding or minimizing exposure to certain chemicals and toxins: Some chemicals, like radiation, herbicides and vinyl chloride, have been linked to increased sarcoma risk.
Being aware of other risk factors: Lymphedema, caused by fluid accumulation in tissues, can slightly increase the risk of soft tissue sarcomas.
Limiting radiation exposure: Radiation therapy for other cancers can increase the risk of radiation-induced sarcoma. If radiation therapy is necessary, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Regularly getting checkups and doing self-examinations: Pay attention to any unexplained lumps, pain or swelling, especially in arms or legs. Report any suspicious symptoms to your doctor.

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If you’re concerned about specific symptoms or have been recently diagnosed, you’ll find all the strength and support you need to face cancer at our AdventHealth Cancer Institute. We offer specialized care for all types of cancer, including sarcoma, coordinated through a trusted national network. Click below or call us at 833-246-6712 to request an appointment or find a location near you.

Sarcoma Cancer Treatment

Sarcoma Care Tailored to You

Explore Your Sarcoma Treatment Options

Our Specialists Specialize in You

Sajeve Thomas, MD

Peter Peng, MD, FACS

Ryan Durfee, MD

Daniel Fassett, MD

Richard Klein, MD, MPH, CLT-LANA, FACS

James Mayo, MD

Sabrina Pavri, MD, MBA, FACS

FAQs About Sarcoma

Question: What does sarcoma look like?

Question: How is sarcoma diagnosed?

Question: What causes sarcoma and who is at risk?

Question: Can I reduce my risk of developing sarcoma or prevent it?

Find Sarcoma Care Near You

Sarcoma Cancer Treatment

Sarcoma Care Tailored to You

Explore Your Sarcoma Treatment Options

Our Specialists Specialize in You

Sajeve Thomas, MD

Peter Peng, MD, FACS

Ryan Durfee, MD

Daniel Fassett, MD

Richard Klein, MD, MPH, CLT-LANA, FACS

James Mayo, MD

Sabrina Pavri, MD, MBA, FACS

Request a Consultation With a Sarcoma Specialist

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FAQs About Sarcoma

Q:Question: What does sarcoma look like?

Q:Question: How is sarcoma diagnosed?

Q:Question: What causes sarcoma and who is at risk?

Q:Question: Can I reduce my risk of developing sarcoma or prevent it?

Find Sarcoma Care Near You

Question: What does sarcoma look like?

Question: How is sarcoma diagnosed?

Question: What causes sarcoma and who is at risk?

Question: Can I reduce my risk of developing sarcoma or prevent it?