| Soft tissue tumors are uncommon, and account for only 1.5 percent or 8,600 cancer cases in the United States each year. Arising from fat, muscle or connective tissue anywhere in the body, the cause of these growths is unknown in the majority of patients, and there is no age, gender or race predisposition. Sarcomas most often occur in the extremities, with 15 percent arising in the retroperitoneum, a space within the abdominal cavity. Stony Brook’s Sarcoma Team offers comprehensive, compassionate care to sarcoma patients. Surgical OncologyPathologyRadiologyRadiation OncologyMedical Hematology/Oncology Stony Brook offers a comprehensive range of diagnostic, treatment, and follow-up services for patients with sarcoma, including expedited diagnosis and technologically advanced radiation, surgical, and systemic therapies. See Diagnostics, Treatments & Technologies for more information. The Sarcoma Team provides initial diagnosis, staging, treatment, and follow-up care. Patients are often evaluated initially by their primary care physician, or a general, vascular, or orthopedic surgeon. When patients are referred to the Sarcoma Team, their cases are discussed at a multidisciplinary conference and a treatment plan is developed in accordance with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. Most patients can be treated with limb-sparing or minimally invasive techniques. Other specialists such as plastic or orthopedic surgeons may collaborate to achieve excellent functional outcomes. Our exceptional clinical support services contribute to coordinated care. These include Nutrition Services, Pain Management, Palliative Care/Survivorship & Support, Pharmacy Services, Physical and Occupational Rehabilitation, Therapeutic Yoga, and our Tumor Board. For more information, see Clinical Support Services. New Program in Stony Brook's Emergency Department Assists Patients with Soft Tissue Masses Patients with sarcoma often have a very long delay from the beginning of their symptoms to an actual diagnosis. Patients with soft tissue masses and possible sarcoma who arrive at the Emergency Department with symptoms from their condition are now able to get expedited care. Members of the Sarcoma Management Team are notified of the patient's presence in the Emergency Department and immediate plans are made for further evaluation, including imaging and a follow-up appointment. Patients and their families are grateful for this improved, streamlined system, which allows them to be seen at the Cancer Center within a few days time. |
