Sarcoma
A sarcoma is a cancerous tumor that appears in the connective tissues of the body. This includes the bones, muscles, cartilage, fats, nerves, blood vessels and skin tissue. There are many different types of sarcomas, but they are typically classified as either bone sarcoma or soft tissue sarcoma.
Sarcoma treatment center in Miami
We know a sarcoma diagnosis can be scary, but we hope you’ll be able to find some comfort in knowing our hospital is there for you with specialized care.
At HCA Florida Mercy Hospital, we offer treatment for both benign and malignant (cancerous) bone and soft tissue tumors as well as complex diseases for adults and children. Our highly trained orthopedic oncology surgeons provide advanced techniques to treat sarcomas, with specialization in limb-sparing surgery.
Related Specialties
Learn more about our related specialties
Conditions we treat
Treatment for sarcoma varies depending on the sarcoma type, location and other factors. There are more than 70 types of sarcoma, with the most common being:
- Chondrosarcoma
- Chordoma
- Ewing sarcoma
- Fibrosarcoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma
- Giant cell tumor
- Osteosarcoma
Sarcoma treatments and services
We are committed to providing you with comprehensive sarcoma diagnostic and treatment services.
Diagnostic tests
To test for sarcomas or determine the extent of their growth (stage), your doctor may refer you to an oncology specialist who may:
- Perform a physical exam to understand your symptoms better and help with diagnosis
- Recommend imaging tests, such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT) scans, bone scans and positron emission tomography (PET) scans
- Remove a tissue sample for testing (biopsy) to determine cancer type, malignancy and treatment options
Sarcoma treatment options
Surgery to remove the tumor (and sometimes surrounding tissue) is the most common treatment option for sarcoma. Depending on the disease’s location or progression, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be recommended. Specifically, some treatments for sarcoma include:
- Limb-sparing surgery, known as limb salvage, is a procedure used to remove a tumor without compromising the use or appearance of the extremity itself.
- Chemotherapy uses drugs to target or attack cancer cells.
- Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays or other particles to destroy cancer cells.
Our sarcoma specialists will work with you to find the most effective treatment approach. If needed, we offer innovative reconstructive options with allograph procedures or custom implant design for advanced cases of sarcoma requiring full or partial amputation. Pediatric experts are also available for children requiring special care during surgery and growing prosthesis.
Metastatic bone cancer treatment
Cancer can form in the bone or spread to the bone from another place in the body. Primary bone cancer is cancer that starts in the bone tissue. Secondary, or metastatic, bone cancer happens when cancer cells from a primary tumor in another part of the body move to the bone. Our orthopedic surgeons have extensive experience in managing metastatic bone tumors and will work with other specialists, as needed, for the best approach or treatment.
Multidisciplinary care
Our sarcoma program provides a multidisciplinary approach, combining guidance from specialists and features from both our orthopedic care and cancer care departments. In addition to highly competent care, we offer extensive education, surgical services and rehabilitative programs to meet your needs wherever you are in your treatment journey.
Understanding sarcomas
Sarcomas are separated into two groups — bone sarcomas (tumors in the bone) and soft tissue sarcomas (tumors in the muscle, cartilage, nerves, fat, blood vessels and deep skin tissue).
Diagnosing sarcoma
While it is not always clear what causes sarcomas, genetics, previous radiation therapy for cancer, chronic swelling (lymphedema), exposure to chemicals and exposure to certain viruses may be risk factors. Always talk to your doctor about unexplained bumps felt through the skin, bone pain or fractures, abdominal pain or weight loss to rule out diseases requiring treatment.
Sarcoma versus carcinoma
Sarcoma is a type of cancer that typically forms in bone and muscles. Carcinoma affects the skin or tissue cells lining the body's internal organs.
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