Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center

Sarcoma and Bone Cancer Treatment Center

Patients with sarcoma often require a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. We recognize that a team approach is the best way to manage these complicated cases. Our group is dedicated to clinical research to develop cutting-edge treatment strategies for both soft tissue and bone malignancies.

About
Treatment Approach
Treatment Team
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About the Center

The Center for Sarcoma and Bone Oncology has dedicated specialty expertise in the pathologic and radiologic assessment of sarcoma, the application of novel soft-tissue and bone reconstructive techniques, and access to promising new therapies.

Patients with sarcoma often require a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. We recognize that a team approach to treatment is the best way to manage these complicated cases.

Our specialists focus exclusively on sarcoma and work closely together to offer these services in a coordinated manner.

Our group is also dedicated to clinical research to help identify and develop cutting-edge treatment strategies for both soft tissue sarcomas and bone malignancies such as osteosarcoma, resulting in reduced recurrence rates and improved outcomes for patients.

Our specialists see patients with all types of sarcomaand a variety of mesenchymal tumors, including:

Alveolar soft part sarcoma
Angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma
Angiosarcoma
Atypical lipomataous tumor
Bone cancer
Chondrosarcoma
Clear cell sarcoma (malignant melanoma of soft parts)
Dendritic cell sarcoma
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
Desmoid tumor
Desmoplastic small cell tumor
Desmoplastic small round cell tumors
Ectomesenchymoma
Endometrial sarcoma
Epithelioid sarcoma
Ewing sarcoma
Extrarenal rhabdoid tumor
Extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma
Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma
Extraskeletal osteosarcoma
Fibromyxoid sarcoma
Fibrous histiocytoma of bone
Fibrosarcoma
Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)
Granulation cell sarcoma
Hemangioendothelioma
Hemangiopericytoma
Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor
Intimal sarcoma
Kaposi sarcoma
Leiomyosarcoma
Lipoma
Liposarcoma
Lymphoangiosarcoma
Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH)
Malignant glomus tumor
Malignant granular cell tumor
Malignant melanotic schwannoma
Malignant mesenchymoma
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor
Malignant primative neuroectodermal tumor (PNET)
Malignant tenosynovial giant cell tumor
Myoepithelioma/mixed tumor of soft tissue
Myofibroblastic sarcoma
Myxofibrosarcoma
Myxoinflammatory fibroblastic sarcoma
Neurofibrosarcoma
Osteoganic sarcoma
Osteosarcoma
PEComa
Radiation associated sarcomas
Rhabdomyosarcoma
Malignant schwannoma
Solitary fibrous tumor
Spindle cell sarcoma
Synovial sarcoma
Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma
Undifferentiated sarcoma
Unclassified sarcoma
Uterine sarcoma

Our Treatment Approach

When you come to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for sarcoma treatment, you will meet with members of our team who have specialized expertise in caring for patients with sarcoma.

This means pathologists, medical oncologists, radiologists, surgeons and other health care professionals with expertise in sarcoma may be involved in important decisions about your care.

Learn about our multidisciplinary approach to sarcoma treatment

When our pathologists confirm a sarcoma diagnosis, our clinicians meet to discuss next steps. The treatment plan is tailored, as much as possible, to each individual patient and their disease profile, taking into account such details as the patient's age, prior medical conditions, lifestyle and personal preferences.

Learn about the role of pathology in sarcoma diagnosis and treatment

If the sarcoma is localized — if it has not spread to other parts of the body — the goal is to cure the patient. This could involve surgery and radiation, with chemotherapy also used in certain types of sarcoma. It is important to involve an experienced sarcoma surgeon in treatment decisions.

Learn about the role of the surgical oncologist in sarcoma treatment

If the sarcoma is advanced, or metastatic, the goal is to give the patient as high a quality of life as possible for as long as possible, and cure in some cases. This may involve some surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and observation. We will also ensure access to the highest quality clinical research and new drugs available for the treatment of sarcomas.

Learn about the role of the medical oncologist in sarcoma treatment

The treatment team at Dana-Farber's sarcoma treatment center consists of more than just physicians. During your treatment, you may also meet and work with many of our vital support team members, including:

Nurse Practitioners, who focus on treatment-related symptom management, sarcoma education, and home support
Physician assistants, who assist the surgical oncologist in clinic and care, wound management, and post-surgical symptom management
Infusion nurses, who administer chemotherapy and focus on symptom management
Radiation oncology nurses, who evaluate and monitor patients undergoing radiation treatment
Clinical research coordinators, who coordinate appointments for patients enrolled in clinical trials
Research nurses, who provide information on clinical trials and are part of the team for all patients enrolled in clinical trials
Palliative care specialists, who help patients manage pain and the side effects of cancer treatment
Social workers, who provide emotional support to patients and families during diagnosis, treatment, and beyond

Our team can also help you find other support services within Dana-Farber, including nutrition, complementary therapies, spiritual support, financial help, survivorship and resources for families and young adults.

The Treatment Team

Because patients with sarcoma often require a combination of treatment methods, we approach the care of each patient as a team.

Medical Oncology

David D'Adamo, MD
James Butrynski, MD
George D. Demetri, MD
Suzanne George, MD
Jeffrey Morgan, MD
Andrew Wagner, MD, PhD

Sarcoma Nursing

Lynn Colicchio, RN
Victoria Patterson, RN
Kathy Polson, NP
Amy Potter, NP
Julie Shelley, RN

Social Work

Rachel Allende, LICSW (Spanish and Portuguese-speaking patients)
Amanda Consovoy, LICSW
Mary (Molly) McHugh, LCSW (Inpatient)

We also work in close collaboration with our colleagues in the Head and Neck Oncology Program and the Thoracic Oncology Program.

Contact Information

New Patients

If you have never been seen before at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center, please call 877-442-3324 or use this online form to make an appointment.