Choosing Columbia for Sarcoma Care

Sarcomas are very rare cancers. Many doctors see few, if any, cases of sarcoma. At Columbia, our specialized team of oncologists see hundreds of sarcoma cases every year. Combining our expert clinical care and cutting-edge research center, we are among the most advanced sarcoma programs in the country.

From your first appointment, our team works closely with you to explain your diagnosis, outline your treatment options, and help you make informed choices every step of the way.

Our approach and expertise

At Columbia, physicians combine decades of experience with the latest diagnostic tools, advanced surgical and radiation techniques, and cutting-edge research to deliver care that is personalized to you.

Why patients choose Columbia for sarcoma care: 

• Nationally recognized experts. Your care comes from nationally recognized sarcoma experts in both research and treatment. As a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia is consistently ranked among the best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report, ensuring you receive world-class care.  
• Accurate diagnosis from the start. You’ll benefit from expert sarcoma pathologists who identify and grade all types of sarcoma tumors, giving your care team the information needed to create a personalized treatment plan. 
• A multidisciplinary sarcoma care program. Your care is powered by one of the few programs in the country where orthopedic oncologists, reconstructive plastic surgeons, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists, specialized pathologists and radiologists, work side by side – often in the same operating room – to make sure that you have the best possible outcomes. 
• Next-generation radiation therapy for complex cases. We offer the most advanced radiation therapies to treat sarcoma with precision while protecting healthy tissue- which can be especially important for children and tumors near vital organs. 
• Cutting-edge surgical and limb-sparing options. If needed, your surgeons will perform advanced surgical techniques, many developed at Columbia, to remove your cancer, and protect healthy tissue. Our pioneering surgeries have led to excellent outcomes for our patients.
• Clinical trials and breakthrough therapies. Your doctors will work closely with Columbia University researchers, giving you early access to new treatments and matching you with possible clinical trials.  
• Expert, coordinated care. Your fully coordinated, multidisciplinary care team will work together to deliver the best treatment for you, all tailored to your specific needs.

A multidisciplinary sarcoma care program

The sarcoma care program at Columbia delivers care through a multidisciplinary team of experts in pathology, medical oncology, surgical oncology, orthopedic oncology, reconstructive surgery, pathology, and radiation oncology to treat every type and stage of sarcoma. 

Every person’s case is discussed in multidisciplinary “tumor boards”, where specialists review imaging, biopsy results, and treatment options to create a personalized care plan. Sarcoma is a complicated disease that requires many different types of doctors to design the ideal, personalized treatment plan. Our collaborative process ensures that every treatment decision reflects the collective expertise of your entire care team in a coordinated and efficient manner- so no time is wasted.

Expert diagnosis and pathology

You’ll have access to sarcoma pathologists who specialize in identifying and grading these tumors, providing your care team with the detailed information needed to guide a treatment plan tailored specifically to you.  

Because sarcomas can be unusual and difficult to classify, additional testing and collaboration across teams may be used to confirm your diagnosis. This ensures that your treatment is based on the most accurate and comprehensive understanding of your tumor. With expert pathology at the foundation of your care, you can move forward with confidence, knowing your plan is designed for your unique situation.

Cutting-edge treatments options

For all sarcoma cases, we provide access to the most advanced treatment and surgery options available.

Advanced surgical procedures 

For bone and soft tissue sarcomas in the arms or legs, your care begins with a full orthoplastic evaluation to see whether both orthopedic and plastic surgery are needed. If your tumor involves both bone and soft tissue, your surgeons use advanced 3D modeling to see your tumor and the surrounding area, helping them plan your surgery with greater accuracy. 

Our advanced surgical expertise also allows us to treat tumors once thought to be “unresectable,” or unable to be removed. If your tumor involves major blood vessels, vascular surgeons can remove the tumor and rebuild the vessels using biologic or synthetic grafts. When tumors involve major organs and standard surgery isn’t possible, we may use ex vivo surgery. This approach allows transplant surgeons to temporarily remove nearby organs, so the tumor can be safely removed, then place the healthy organs back in the body. 

Next-generation radiation therapy 

We offer the latest advanced radiation therapy techniques to provide our sarcoma patients with the most precise and effective treatment options available. 

Some sarcomas, such as retroperitoneal and pelvic tumors, are very complex. At Columbia, our surgeons and radiation oncologists use a pioneering approach that combines preoperative proton beam radiation, aggressive tumor resection, and an intraoperative electron radiation boost to treat any areas where cancer cells might be left behind. This approach has been shown in clinical trials to significantly reduce the recurrence rates while preserving healthy tissue: 

• Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) delivers highly focused, high-dose radiation in just a few sessions, achieving excellent tumor control while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue.  
• Proton therapy targets tumors with exceptional accuracy and significantly reduces radiation to nearby organs, which is particularly important for pediatric patients, retroperitoneal sarcomas, and tumors near critical nerves or joints. 

Our team also uses intensity modulated (IMRT) and image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) to adapt treatment in real time for optimal precision. Our physicians’ ability to create innovative solutions to such complex cases is one of the many reasons why patients with rare and recurrent sarcomas come to Columbia. 

We also combine radiation with many of the chemotherapies and immunotherapies in our program to enhance synergy, improve tumor response, and expand treatment options.

Clinical trials for sarcoma

As part of Columbia’s Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbia patients benefit from clinical trials that offer new and promising treatments- backed by cutting-edge research.  

For patients whose cancers don’t respond well to standard treatments, our clinical trials provide more options- such as new targeted therapies, immunotherapies and precision medicine approaches. 

In some cases, your tumor can be genetically analyzed to help match you with a treatment most likely to work for you—moving beyond one-size-fits-all care and expanding your options for hard-to-treat sarcomas. 

Comprehensive patient support services

Our supportive care staff works closely with you to provide a number of services that can help enhance your quality of life and overall well-being through:  

• Integrative care, including guidance on exercise, lifestyle, diet, and nutrition.  
• Emotional support, such as counseling and support groups.  
• Pain management, to help you stay comfortable during treatment.  
• Comprehensive follow-up care, to lower the chance of recurrence through regular scans and check-ups.

Your sarcoma care team at Columbia

At Columbia, your sarcoma treatment is guided by a team that blends surgical precision, scientific expertise, and compassionate care. Every member of your care team is in constant communication – meeting regularly to review progress and adjust your personalized treatment plan as needed.