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Sarcoma

Overview

Overview

What is sarcoma

Sarcoma is a cancer of soft tissues or bone cancer depending on the origin. Soft tissue sarcoma tends to originate in legs and arms as this is where most of our body’s soft tissue can be found. Scientists have found a few risk factors that may contribute to soft tissue sarcomas such as radiation, certain family cancer syndromes, a damaged lymph system, and exposure to certain chemicals.1

Bone sarcomas develop in the bone and can be further subdivided into osteosarcoma and chrondosarcoma. There are no lifestyle risk factors to contribute in developing bone cancers, however, radiation to bone, certain bone diseases, and inherited cancer syndromes may contribute to developing sarcoma.2

Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) develops more frequently more in children than adults and is the most frequent version of bone cancer. The development of osteosarcoma tends to occur in bones that are longer with the most common sites being arms and legs.

Chrondosarcoma (cartilage cancer) is the second most frequent type of bone cancer and primarily affects adults. Chrondosarcoma tends to impact more men than women.

How common is sarcoma

Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer ranking 29th in comparison with other cancers with the majority of patients being children.3 Per the American Cancer Society, 12,390 new soft tissue sarcoma cases will be diagnosed in 2017. In regards to bone cancer, it is estimated that 3,260 new cases will be diagnosed in 2017.4

Questions regarding your sarcoma therapy

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1. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/soft-tissue-sarcoma.html. Accessed 2/14/18

2. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/soft-tissue-sarcoma.html. Accessed 2/14/18

3. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/bones.html Accessed 7/26/17

4. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/bones.html. Accessed 7/26/17

 

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of sarcoma

Sarcoma tends to primarily originate in arms and legs. When symptoms occur, they can include the following:

  • Lump
  • Localized pain in bone
  • Swelling
  • Fatigue
  • Numbness or tingling sensation

How is it diagnosed

Sarcoma is diagnosed through biopsies performed to confirm if the tumor is benign or malignant. For bone cancer, biopsies are also conducted but other tools may be utilized to help assist in confirming a diagnosis such as:

  • MRI
  • X-rays
  • CT scans
  • PET scans
  • Blood tests
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Medications

Sarcoma

Accredo, a specialty pharmacy for sarcoma, dispenses specialty and non-specialty sarcoma medications including (but not limited to):

Drug Generic/Biosimilar Manufacturer
Gleevec® (imatinib mesylate) Novartis
Halaven® (eribulin) Eisai
Hycamtin® (topotecan injection) Generic(s) Available Novartis
IntronA® (interferon alpha-2b,recombinant) Merck
Lartruvo (olaratumab) Lilly
Votrient® (pazopanib) Novartis

Accredo also dispenses traditional chemotherapy medications as well as supportive care medications ordered by your prescriber that are not listed above.

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Financing Your Care

Financial assistance coordination may be available to help with your medication costs, including manufacturer and community programs. Accredo representatives are available to help find a program that may work for you.

Financial Guidance

Life-saving specialty medication can be expensive. Learn how the Accredo teams help individuals find ways to afford the medication they need to survive in this video.

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Find Support

There are many organizations that support research and advocacy for sarcoma. See below for a few of those organizations.

Sarcoma Organizations

Cancer Support Organizations

There are many organizations that support research and advocacy for cancer. See below for a few of those organizations.

Government Organizations

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Meet the Team

Accredo’s oncology care team is dedicated to serving you and we understand the complexity of your condition. Our specialty-trained clinicians are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to answer any questions.

Why We Do It

Accredo supports patients with chronic and complex conditions and helps them live their best life. Watch our video to learn why we do what we do for our patients.

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877-732-3431

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