Sarcoma Treatments

You may receive care from board-certified specialists in orthopedic oncology, surgical oncology, gynecologic oncology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology.

Our multidisciplinary team also includes oncology nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, and other cancer experts who support you throughout your care. Your physicians work closely together - participating in cross-departmental tumor boards with other Providence Swedish specialists - to create a treatment plan tailored to you. Although your care is team-based, you'll continue to have regular appointments with your lead physician, who stays closely involved and helps coordinate your treatment every step of the way.

It’s natural to feel nervous about surgery, but your care team will talk you through the process, helping you prepare for surgery and answering all your questions well in advance. 

As part of your personalized care plan, we offer advanced surgical options tailored to your diagnosis and goals, including minimally invasive procedures, when possible, along with reconstruction if needed. After surgery, we provide detailed recovery instructions and make sure that you have all the ongoing support you need to help you heal with confidence. 

Cancer often requires a combination of approaches to achieve the best outcome, so it’s likely your care plan could include more than one type of treatment. 

Surgery alone might be enough for early-stage cancer that hasn’t spread, but additional treatments like chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or biological therapy may be needed to target cancer cells throughout the body, reduce the risk of recurrence, or improve overall effectiveness. 

Our cancer experts tailor treatment to your specific diagnosis, working to achieve the highest likelihood of success. 

Chemotherapy is typically given through an IV in cycles over several weeks or months. It can be used prior to surgery to shrink tumors or following surgery to reduce the risk of your cancer returning. At the Providence Swedish Cancer Institute, your care is led by a medical oncologist and supported by a dedicated team - including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and nurses who coordinate your care and help manage any side effects. You'll have regularly scheduled visits, and if you need help between appointments, same-day support is available.

Neoadjuvant therapy is treatment you may receive before your main treatment - often surgery - to help improve outcomes. It might include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both.

Starting treatment earlier can sometimes shrink a tumor, make surgery less complex, or lower the risk of the cancer spreading. For some patients, it may also help reduce long-term side effects or lower the risk of complications, especially if lymph nodes are involved.

Your care team will recommend neoadjuvant therapy based on your specific type of cancer and your individual needs.

Radiation treatments are typically delivered over several sessions to target cancer cells while protecting healthy tissue. Your radiation oncologist will schedule a planning session to map specific treatment areas using imaging scans. Throughout your care, your team monitors your progress, manages side effects, and provides resources and support to ensure you feel comfortable and informed. 

Some cancer treatments, including certain types of chemotherapy or radiation therapy, can affect fertility. These effects may be temporary, but in some cases, they can be long-lasting or permanent, depending on the type and location of treatment.

If you're concerned about fertility, our team will guide you through options, discuss the potential impacts of your specific treatment plan, and connect you with fertility preservation resources to help you make informed decisions about the future.

Patients have access to hundreds of clinical trials involving most cancer types. We are often among the first in the U.S. to provide access to Phase 1 trials — the first stage of evaluating treatments in humans. Please note, we open new trials often. Check with your clinician for the latest in upcoming trials.

Learn more and find out if a clinical trial could become part of your treatment plan.