Sarcomas and Bone Cancers Team
Soft tissue sarcomas can develop in soft tissues like fat, muscle, nerves, fibrous tissues, blood vessels, or deep skin tissues. They can be found in any part of the body; most develop in the arms or legs. They can also be found in the trunk, head and neck area, internal organs, and the area in back of the belly cavity (known as the retroperitoneum).
About 13,000 people will be diagnosed with soft tissue sarcomas in the United States each year. There are more than 30 different types of these rare tumors.
Successful sarcoma treatment begins with timely and accurate diagnosis by a team of experts. Our team focuses on treating patients with every kind of soft tissue sarcoma. Our highly trained specialists work together closely to ensure that patients receive state-of-the-art evaluation and treatment. They meet every two weeks to review images and tests together, to make sure that every person is responding well to treatment, and to adjust treatment plans as needed.
“Through a multi-disciplinary approach, we are able to perform limb salvage surgery and still prolong a person’s life. In the past, people would have to make difficult choices between life and preserving a limb.”
– David Chafey, MD
Cancers of the Bone
Bone cancer is a sarcoma that starts in the bone. Other cancers may affect the bones, including cancers that have spread from other parts of the body. There are several types of bone tumors. The most commonly found types of primary bone cancer are osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, and Ewing’s sarcoma. Ewing’s sarcoma is the second most common type of bone cancer in children and adolescents. David Chafey, MD, is the only orthopedic surgical oncologist in New Mexico. He helps each multidisciplinary team decide how best to treat cancers that start in bone or that spread to bone. Based on the size and location of the tumor, he lends his expertise to each team to help their patients keep their limbs. Dr. Chafey also studies reconstructive surgery to prevent fractures and keep limbs functioning.
Meet the Sarcomas and Bone Cancers Team
Many experts collaborate to offer you the best care and treatment.What Each Team Member Offers
Surgical Oncologists
Surgically remove soft tissue tumors, including those in muscle, fat, cartilage, connective tissues, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors (a form of sarcoma that affects the stomach and the small and large intestines). For many types of soft tissue sarcomas, complete surgical removal is the only treatment required to treat the cancer.
Radiation Oncologists
Use beams of radiation to kill cancer cells in bone and in soft tissues. They use stereotactic body radiation and intensity modulated radiation therapy to minimize radiation to healthy tissues. (Radiation may be used before or after surgery). Radiation can also be used to reduce the symptoms of sarcoma when it has spread to other organs or has recurred and cannot be surgically removed.
Medical Oncologists
Use medications given by vein or by mouth to treat sarcomas. These treatments are useful when the cancer has spread to other organs or when it has returned after surgical removal. Depending on the type and stage of sarcoma, chemotherapy may be given as the main treatment or it may be given after surgery. Different types of sarcoma respond differently to chemotherapy. Chemotherapy for soft tissue sarcoma generally uses a combination of several anti-cancer drugs.
Under the guidance of a physician, they may take medical histories, perform medical exams, give medications or injections or perform certain medical procedures.
Advanced practice providers include physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
Nurse navigators guide you in your treatment and serve as your regular point of contact.
Learn more: In-depth from the National Cancer Institute
The content below is provided by the National Cancer Institute. Please contact the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center at 505-272-4946 for more information.
The content below is provided by the National Cancer Institute. Please contact the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center at 505-272-4946 for more information.
The content below is provided by the National Cancer Institute. Please contact the UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center at 505-272-4946 for more information.
For more information, call us at 505-272-4946.