Sarcoma Cancer

Key Staff

Consultants/Surgeons

Mr Paul Dent,
Mrs Carole Norman

Nursing and support team

Meghna Chhetri, Clinical Nurse Specialist

Working hours: Monday-Friday 9.00 - 17.00

Tel : 07783534975 Email : meghna.chhetri@nhs.net

Information about Sarcoma Unit | The Royal Marsden

About Sarcoma cancer

Sarcomas are rare cancers that develop in the supporting tissues of the body. Supporting tissues include bone, cartilage, tendons, fat and muscle. There are 2 main types of sarcoma:

Soft tissue sarcomas can develop in any tissues that support, connect, surround and protect the organs of the body. This includes:

fat
muscle
nerves
fibrous tissues
tendons and ligaments
blood vessels.

There are many different types of soft tissue sarcoma. We have more information about the following types:

Bone sarcomas start in a bone is also called primary bone cancer . There are different types of bone cancer. The most common types are:

(Macmillan, 2024)

What are the tests to confirm the diagnosis?

If a GP refers you to a specialist because they think you could have cancer, you'll have tests to check for cancer

The specialist team may use different tests and scans to see if you have sarcoma

If you don’t have a sarcoma you will be discharged from the sarcoma specialist centre.

If your symptoms begin to change or become painful you can go back to your GP for advice.

If you do have a sarcoma the sarcoma specialist team will ensure you get the right treatment and care. Some benign tumours, like desmoid fibromatosis and giant cell tumours of the bone, are also treated by sarcoma teams.

(Sarcoma UK, 2024)

For more information on diagnostic test: Macmillan information: A-Z Diagnostic tests

What treatment are available?

If you've been told you have bowel cancer, you may need more tests.

The results of these tests can show the stage/extend of your cancer, and if the cancer has been caused by certain changes in your genes

In some cases, your healthcare professional might recommend genomic testing . These tests can help doctors to learn more about your tumour and identify the most appropriate treatments for you.

The type of treatment you receive will depend on the stage and grade of your cancer and the type of sarcoma you have. (sarcoma UK)

Patient may be offered a combination of treatments including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy as well as clinical trials .

Treatments are offered in collaboration with the Royal Marsden Hospital.

Your specialist treatment team will:

explain the treatments, the benefits and side effects
work with you to make a treatment plan that's best for you
help you to manage the side effects of treatment

If you have any questions or worries, you can talk to your specialist team.

More about Treatment types | Sarcoma UK

Macmillan information: Making treatment decisions

Macmillan information: A-Z treatments- drugs

Macmillan information: After Treatment

Personalised Cancer Care

Personalised cancer care allows you to take an active role in the way your care is planned and delivered by identifying your concerns and support needs. It puts you in control of your care, with our help.

There are lots of things you can do to look after your own health during and after cancer treatment. Some of this can be done with the involvement of your clinical team, such as physical activity and dietary modifications

Here are the key elements of personalised care for our cancer patients:

Personalised Assessment and Care Planning
Access to health and wellbeing information and support
End of treatment summaries to support you with understanding and managing impacts of cancer– also shared with your GP so they can support you.
Stratified Follow up when you have finished treatment or are living with cancer.

Read the Personalised Cancer Care Guide for newly diagnosed patients at Croydon Health Services.

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