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Report on the Newly Expanded Sarcoma Treatment Center at The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
John A. Abraham, MD Instructor of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School Orthopedic Surgeon Center for Sarcoma and Bone Oncology Dana Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center Boston, MA
M. Travis Quigley, RN Research Nurse Center for Sarcoma and Bone Oncology Dana Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center Boston, MA
George D. Demetri, MD Director Center for Sarcoma and Bone Oncology Dana Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center Boston, MA
Introduction The Sarcoma Program and Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center employ a robust team of physicians, nurses, and other practitioners and staff with specialty interest in sarcoma care. We are excited to report the expansion of our clinical services, with the addition of new medical oncology, orthopedic oncology staff and administrative staff, resulting in one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive groups with dedicated specialty expertise in the evaluation and management of sarcomas.
Clinical Goals Our group is dedicated to identifying and developing cutting edge treatment strategies for both soft tissue and bone malignancies. Patients with sarcoma often require a combination of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy to maximize functional results, improve local control, and optimize overall survival. Recognizing that a team approach is the best way to manage complicated sarcoma patients, the Center for Sarcoma and Bone Oncology offers these specialty services in a coordinated manner to patients. In addition to multidisciplinary care, members of the Sarcoma Program are currently involved in a broad range of cutting edge treatment strategies for both soft tissue and bone malignancies, resulting in reduced recurrence rates and improved outcomes for patients.
The Treatment Team We employ a multidisciplinary team approach to care, including professionals from the following departments:
We offer pathology second opinions, multidisciplinary second opinions, clinical trials of promising new therapies, as well as standard primary care of sarcomas and related conditions.
Orthopedic Oncology Since the opening of the country’s first bone and joint hospital nearly a century ago, Brigham and Women’s Hospital has developed one of the largest programs of its kind in the world – with the most comprehensive team of orthopedic and joint disease specialists anywhere. The Orthopedic and Arthritis Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital continues the legacy of innovation, inspired by our predecessor, the Robert Breck Brigham Hospital, which opened to specifically care for patients with arthritis and other debilitating bone and joint diseases. The Brigham and Women’s Hospital Department of Orthopedics now continues its dedication to advancement of orthopedic care and science by investing in additional staff and resources to the care of patients with primary and metastatic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, including bone and soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities, pelvis and spine. With two dedicated full-time orthopedic oncology surgeons specializing in surgical care of sarcomas, and surgical specialists in spine, upper extremity and microvascular surgery, and adult reconstruction, as well as Operating Room and Clinic availability custom tailored to the needs of the Dana Farber Sarcoma Service, the Department of Orthopedics now offers expedient and expert management of the entire spectrum of primary sarcoma treatment and musculoskeletal sequelae of cancer in general.
Research Goals The research goals of our dedicated team are to move the field forward and answer important questions relating to the science, treatment, and understanding of sarcomas, and the impact of the disease on patients and families living with sarcoma. Through these goals, we hope to direct the entire field toward more effective and better tolerated therapies, as well as investigate better management strategies and support options for patients and their loved ones.
Our research is based on close collaboration with other academic investigators across the country and the biotech/pharmaceutical industry. We strongly believe that one of the best methods for developing new treatments is translating the scientific discoveries of today into the targeted treatments for tomorrow. Many of our clinical trials use exciting new, targeted therapies to obtain a better understanding of their safety and utility in treating sarcoma patients. Along with targeted therapies, we offer clinical trials utilizing standard chemotherapy agents in the hope of identifying the best practices for these regimens in the treatment of sarcoma. Also of note, we offer studies that allow the donation of tissue and blood samples, as well as de-identified clinical data, which will help explore the natural history of sarcomas from biological and demographic standpoints.
Clinical Trials Information Our dedicated group of specialists exerts a team effort that affords the most cutting edge research in an empathetic environment available to sarcoma patients around the globe. We have included a list of current studies, which is frequently being updated.
Contact Information
For Clinical Referrals (including New Patients) please call
877-DFCI-BWH (
For up-to-date information on Clinical Trials, please contact
our Research Nurse, Travis Quigley, at
V3N5 ESUN Copyright © 2006 Liddy Shriver Sarcoma Initiative. |
