Patient Resources

SARC has developed a suite of resources to help patients, families, and their caregivers learn more about sarcoma and find the expert help they need. Together we can change patient outcomes.

Find a Sarcoma Center

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Sarcoma Reference Guide

Learn about sarcoma »

Sarcoma Helpline

Call +1-206-940-1747
or email »

Patient Advocacy Directory

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Clinical Trials

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Don’t delay your sarcoma diagnosis!

Early imaging and timely referral to a sarcoma specialist will improve your survival.

  • Soft tissue sarcomas may present as a painful or painless soft tissue mass
  • Bone sarcomas are usually painful and difficult to see on initial X-rays
  • Patients should be evaluated within 4-6 weeks with an MRI, CT scan, or ultrasound if:
    • A soft tissue mass is present that measures 5 cm (2 inches) or larger or has increased in size over 1-2 months
    • A bone tumor or painful bony abnormality is visible with an X-ray or patient presents with persistent, worsening, or unexplained pain lasting more than 6 weeks
  • If imaging indicates a possible sarcoma, the patient should be seen by a sarcoma specialist within 2 weeks for further evaluation
Sources

Ardakani AHG, Woollard A, Ware H, Gikas P. Soft tissue sarcoma: Recognizing a rare disease. Cleve Clin J Med. 2022 Feb 1;89(2):73-80. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.89a.21078. PMID: 35105695.

Soydemir GP, Bahat Z, Kandaz M, Canyilmaz E, Yöney A. Prognostic factors and clinical course of extremity soft-tissue sarcomas. J Cancer Res Ther. 2020 Jul-Sep;16(4):903-908. doi: 10.4103/jcrt.JCRT_108_18. PMID: 32930138.

Grimer RJ. Size matters for sarcomas! Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2006 Oct;88(6):519-24. doi: 10.1308/003588406X130651. PMID: 17059708; PMCID: PMC1963770.

Crombé A, Fadli D, Spinnato P, Michot A, Cousin S, Le Loarer F, Kind M. Natural speed of growth of untreated soft-tissue sarcomas: A dimension-based imaging analysis. Eur J Radiol. 2022 Jan;146:110082. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2021.110082. Epub 2021 Dec 1. PMID: 34871937.

Mankin, Henry J. M.D.; Mankin, Carole J. M.S.L.S.; Simon, Michael A. M.D., Boston, Massachusetts. The Hazards of the Biopsy, Revisited. For the Members of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society. The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery 78(5):p 656-63, May 1996.

Nandra R, Forsberg J, Grimer R. If your lump is bigger than a golf ball and growing, think Sarcoma. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2015 Oct;41(10):1400-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2015.05.017. Epub 2015 Jun 18. PMID: 26163048.

Cancer Statistics 2023

U.S. Adult Cancer Diagnoses*

  • Soft tissue sarcomas – 14,000 
  • Bone sarcomas – 3,970
  • Brain – 24,810
  • Melanoma – 97,400
  • Squamous cell/skin – 104,000
  • Head and neck – 65,270
  • Lung cancer – 238,340
  • Breast cancer – 300,590
  • Renal/kidney – 81,800
  • Bladder – 82,290
  • Colon – 71,160
  • Rectal – 52,550 
  • Pancreatic – 64,050
  • Ovarian – 19,710
  • Uterine – 66,200
  • Prostate – 288,300
  • Lymphoma – 89,380
  • Myeloma – 35,700

*Siegel RL, Miller KD, Wagle NS, Jemal A. Cancer statistics, 2023. CA Cancer J Clin. 2023; 73(1): 17-48. doi:10.3322/caac.21763

SARC Talk Podcast

A monthly podcast hosted by SARC’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Scott Okuno, SARC Talk explores all things related to sarcoma. Now in its third season.

Listen now »

SARC PATIENT RESOURCES AND SARCOMA HELP LINE DISCLAIMER GUIDE

User hereby agrees and acknowledges that SARC and any of its agents are in no way acting as medical providers nor is the relationship between user, SARC, and any of its agents or representatives that of a patient-provider.

User acknowledges that any personal information that is provided to SARC or any of its agents is provided voluntarily, and further acknowledges that the use or further distribution of any information provided by user is authorized.

User acknowledges and agrees that the treatments, procedures, information, medications, products and other matters referenced on the SARC Patient Resources pages are for informational purposes only and do not constitute the practice of medicine. References are not intended as an endorsement or recommendation of any course of treatment, procedure, information, product or medication. User acknowledges that any and all responsibility for diagnosing, treating or providing any medical care to any patient rests with the physicians and other healthcare professionals treating such patient.

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