Surgery is considered the mainstay of treatment for sarcoma. Fox Chase surgical oncologists use advanced techniques whenever possible, including minimally invasive and robotic surgeries for smaller incisions and faster recovery. Our surgical team is fellowship-trained, meaning they have completed up to four years of additional training focused specifically on highly complex techniques for cancer surgery.
The goal of surgery is to completely remove the tumor and a surrounding margin of normal tissue with the intent of curing the cancer. Our surgical oncologists can achieve this goal with an emphasis on limb preservation by using advanced bone reconstruction and limb-sparing techniques. Amputation can often be avoided, even for patients with large and complex extremity tumors.
In patients with sarcoma and other cancers that have spread to the extremities, surgery is also used for symptom management and pain control. Specialized surgery is available for patients with any type of cancer that has spread to the bone (metastatic cancer). In many cases, metastatic cancer can lead to the risk of a bone fracture, but surgical stabilization can speed recovery, decrease pain, help you return to systemic therapy, and allow you to continue walking. Even in cases where the bone has already broken, surgical techniques can be used to give patients the ability to walk and continue to function.
Our multidisciplinary team also includes reconstructive plastic surgeons who help improve quality of life for sarcoma patients by restoring appearance, form and function after they undergo treatment for large tumors.