Author: Medical Editor Jason
What is soft tissue sarcoma, and how high is the incidence rate?
Advantages and latest developments in treating soft tissue sarcoma in the USA
Leading hospitals and experts for treating soft tissue sarcoma in the USA
Pain Points for International Patients with Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Asian Sarcoma Patients' Remote Video Consultations with US Experts and Visit Cases
Medebound HEALTH: Connecting You to Global Top Medical Resources
What is soft tissue sarcoma and how common is it?
Soft tissue sarcoma is a type of cancer that usually occurs in the soft tissues that surround, connect, or support the structures and organs of the body. These tissues include muscles, joints, tendons, fat, blood vessels, nerves, and tissues. The incidence of soft tissue sarcoma is not high,American Cancer Society estimates that by 2023, about 13,400 adults and children will be diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma. Soft tissue sarcomas account for 1% of all adult cancers. They account for 7% of all cancers in children under 15 years old and 3% of all cancers in children 14 years and younger.
How is soft tissue sarcoma treated?
The treatment of soft tissue sarcoma usually depends on the cancer's type, location, and stage. Soft tissue sarcoma detected early can be surgically removed and further controlled with radiation and chemotherapy. For advanced or metastatic soft tissue sarcoma, chemotherapy is a common treatment method, but these patients usually have poor treatment outcomes.
In recent years, the introduction of targeted therapy and immunotherapy has brought new breakthroughs to the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma. Certain targeted drugs can address specific genetic mutations in soft tissue sarcoma cells, thereby increasing the precision of the treatment.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is the main treatment method for soft tissue sarcoma. The success rate of surgery is often closely related to the experience of the doctor performing the surgery. Experienced sarcoma treatment specialists usually usethe most advanced and minimally invasive techniquesto perform surgery. Chemotherapy or radiotherapy may be combined after surgery for further treatment.
Limb-sparing Surgery is a special surgical method that can avoid limb amputation for most patients
Patients do not need to remove arms or legs to treat sarcoma, and surgery is usually combined with radiotherapy after the procedure.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can be used as a primary treatment for soft tissue sarcoma or combined with surgery or radiotherapy. Chemotherapy typically involves a combination of two or more chemotherapy drugs. Sometimes, limb perfusion chemotherapy (a type of localized chemotherapy) is also used to provide more concentrated drug treatment to the limb.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is not usually the main treatment for soft tissue sarcoma, but it is used before surgery to shrink tumors or after surgery to eliminate residual cancer cells. If the patient cannot undergo surgery, radiation therapy may also help relieve pain and other symptoms.
Radiation therapy techniques include:
Brachytherapy: Implanting radioactive seeds near the tumor
3D Conformal Radiation Therapy: Precisely targeting the tumor with multiple radiation beams
Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT): Adjust treatment according to the specific shape of the tumor
Proton Therapy: Use protons to precisely target the tumor, effectively protecting surrounding healthy tissue
Proton Therapy
Proton therapy delivers high-dose radiation precisely to the tumor site using a proton beam, minimizing damage to healthy tissues and vital organs. This treatment can provide better cancer control outcomes and has less impact on the body, suitable for some patients.
Targeted Therapy (Precision Medicine)
Targeted therapy inhibits the growth or spread of cancer cells by interfering with specific molecules needed for tumor growth,slowing the progression of cancer.
Targeted therapy is directed at specific molecules on or within cancer cells that are produced by cancer genes or the cancer cells themselves. Doctors may use genomic or molecular analyses to select the most suitable targeted therapy to effectively combat cancer.
Can soft tissue sarcoma patients be cured?
According to NIH report, small low-grade tumors, especially those in the trunk or limbs, can usually be cured with surgery alone. High-grade sarcomas have a higher rate of local treatment failure and a greater potential for metastasis.
Factors associated with poor prognosis in adult soft tissue sarcoma include:
Age over 60 years.
Tumor size (e.g., maximum dimension greater than 5 cm, the impact varies with different sarcoma subtypes).
High histological grade of the tumor (including histological specific differentiation, mitotic rate, and extent of tumor necrosis).
Advanced stage tumor pathology at diagnosis.
Positive tumor margins after surgery.
Advantages and Latest Developments in Treating Soft Tissue Sarcoma in the USA
The advantages of sarcoma treatment in the USA include:
Top cancer centers in the USA (such as MD Anderson Cancer Center) adopt a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) collaboration model, integrating experts from fields such as surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, and radiology to collaboratively develop the optimal treatment plan for each patient's condition.
Cancer centers in the USA have extensive Phase I-III clinical trial programs, allowing patients early access to the latest global research drugs and treatment methods.
The latest advancements in sarcoma treatment in the United States include:
Immunotherapy: Currently, the United States has introduced immunotherapy as a new option for treating advanced sarcoma, particularly for specific types of soft tissue sarcoma. For example, the MD Anderson Cancer Center has been conducting studies on adaptive NK cells with reactive affinity-enhanced T cell receptors (TCR) combined with lymphocyte-clearing chemotherapy for some types of sarcomas.
Precision Radiotherapy:High-precision radiotherapy can offer sarcoma patients accurate treatment, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. There is ongoing research into whether different radiotherapy methods might provide additional benefits for overall sarcoma treatment, such as the latest study which aims to determine if pre-surgical radiotherapy is safe and effective for treating soft tissue sarcoma. Conducted in Wisconsin.
Targeted Therapy: Based on the molecular characteristics of different types of sarcoma, targeted therapy drugs have received positive feedback in some clinical trials. For example,the drug Selinexor in multiple clinical trials, has shown efficacy in soft tissue sarcoma patients by significantly delaying tumor progression, especially in certain resistant types of sarcoma.
Leading Hospitals and Experts in the U.S. for Treating Soft Tissue Sarcoma
1. MD Anderson Cancer Center
Location: Houston, Texas
Advantages: MD Anderson is one of the most renowned hospitals globally for cancer treatment, and its sarcoma department is one of the leading institutions in the U.S. for sarcoma treatment.
Introduction of MD Anderson Expert:
Shreyaskumar R. Patel, MD, is a renowned sarcoma expert at MD Anderson Cancer Center, specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of sarcoma, with extensive experience and a strong academic background particularly in soft tissue sarcomas and osteosarcomas. His research focuses on targeted therapies, immunotherapy, and clinical trials of new drugs for sarcomas. He is dedicated to improving patients' cure rates and quality of life through personalized treatment plans.
2. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Location: New York City
Strengths: The center specializes in clinical trials and cutting-edge therapies, committed to providing sarcoma patients with innovative treatment options.
Cost of Treating Soft Tissue Sarcoma in the USA
The cost of treating sarcoma in the USA is relatively high, and the specific cost depends on the type of tumor, location, treatment stage, and treatment plan. During treatment, patients may need to pay for surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, etc. The cost of treating advanced sarcoma might be higher, as patients usually require long-term treatment.
The estimated cost range for each treatment option is as follows:
Surgery: The cost for tumor removal surgery usually ranges from$20,000 to $50,000, depending on the complexity of the surgery and the hospital's pricing standards.
Radiation Therapy: The cost for a full course of radiation therapy is approximately$10,000 to $50,000, depending on the course length and technology used.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy costs vary depending on the drugs used and the length of the treatment, possibly costing$20,000 or more per month.
Targeted Therapy: The cost of targeted drugs is usually high, possibly exceeding$20,000 per month.
It is worth noting that some professional local American cross-border medical service agencies can assist international patients in applying for fee reductions at hospitals.Medebound Health once assisted an Asian ACL orthopedic patient to have a Bear surgery at HSS in the United States, helping them to obtain nearly 50% discount on costs.
Pain Points for International Sarcoma Patients
For families facing a major disease diagnosis, accessing advanced therapies in the United States often seems out of reach.
Challenge 1: Difficulty in Choosing Treatment Options
Patients may lack understanding of various treatment methods (such as medication, surgery), making it difficult to make informed decisions.
Challenge 2: High Medical Costs
Sarcomas often require long-term treatment, which can lead to significant financial pressure on patients, not including long-distance travel, accommodation, and living expenses. Additionally,95% of international patients do not have insurance to cover these costs.
Challenge 3: Language and Cultural Barriers
International patients may face challenges with language communication and cultural differences when seeking medical treatment abroad, affecting treatment outcomes.
Challenge 4: Need for long-term stay in the US or commuting between two countries
Sarcoma treatment is a long-term process, and periodic remission does not equate to long-term remission. Some patients, once they go to the US, it means a long stay in America or tiring commutes between two countries.
Is there a way to help patients reduce the burden?
Yes, indeed there is.
Asian Sarcoma Patients Remote Video American Experts and Cases of Traveling to the U.S.
56-year-old Asian male patient was diagnosed with advanced dedifferentiated liposarcoma domestically, with lung metastases. He underwent partial surgery and chemotherapy but relapsed quickly, and the tumor showed resistance to standard chemotherapy regimens (doxorubicin and ifosfamide).
In this situation, the patient and his family found MEDEBOUND HEALTH—a cross-border medical service organization with 9 years of overseas medical service experience and a patient satisfaction rate of 95%.
Video Consultation and Initial Diagnosis
With the assistance of Medebound HEALTH, he had a consultation through remote video with the sarcoma specialist at MD Anderson Cancer Center in the USA, Dr.Shreyaskumar R. Patel.
Dr. Patel provided the patient with a personalized treatment plan, including the latest immunotherapy options and precision radiotherapy, and recommended opportunities to participate in related clinical trials. After receiving the treatment plan domestically, the patient’s tumor was effectively controlled, and after stabilizing their condition, they went to MD Anderson in the USA to participate in Dr. Patel's recommended clinical trials.
Visit to MD Anderson Cancer Center, USA
At MD Anderson Cancer Center, led by Dr. Shreyaskumar R. Patel, the patient received a comprehensive treatment plan.
Personalized Targeted Therapy: Based on genetic testing of the tumor, the patient was selected for a clinical trial of a targeted drug for MDM2 gene amplification, using an experimental medication.
Local Radiotherapy: Prior to targeted therapy, precise radiotherapy was applied to the primary tumor site to shrink the tumor and relieve pain.
Supportive Therapy: To enhance immune function, the patient also received immunomodulatory therapy to mitigate the side effects of targeted drugs.
After 6 months of treatment, the patient's lung lesions reduced by over 40%, and the primary tumor remained stable. The patient was able to resume daily life and continue long-term follow-up treatment.
Patient Testimonials
The patient and their family expressed high appreciation and gratitude for Dr. Patel's consultation and face-to-face treatment. They believe that this remote consultation and medical visit to the US provided them with new hope and direction for treatment. It allowed them to have a dignified and quality life after the cancer diagnosis.
The family highly acknowledges Medebound HEALTH's professional services and volunteered to recommend us to well-known local hospitals, helping more patients connect with US medical services.
Medebound HEALTH How can we help you
1. First Consultation: Contact us to understand your needs. Our care team will clearly explain all treatment options to you, helping you understand the various choices without causing confusion or stress.
2. Talk with a Doctor: We will arrange a remote video call with experts from top hospitals in the USA. No need to worry about language barriers, we will provide professional translation services to ensure you can communicate clearly and comfortably about your condition and recovery expectations.
3. Develop Your Treatment Plan: After talking to the doctor, we will help you develop a treatment plan. We will clearly explain which treatments might be helpful to you, how long the treatment will take, the cost, and the results you can expect.
4. Travel Assistance: If you need to travel to the United States for treatment, we will simplify the entire process. We will handle visa applications, book flights, find comfortable accommodation near the hospital, arrange pickup services, and make all travel arrangements for your family.
5. Arrive at the Hospital: Once you arrive at the US hospital, our team will be by your side at all times. We will help you communicate with the doctors, explain the treatment plan, support your family, and apply for the maximum discount with the hospital thanks to our years of cooperation with US hospitals. This discount can sometimes reach 15%-50%, which may be much higher than what patients could obtain on their own.
6.Post-treatment Support: Even after you return home, our care does not stop. We will assist you with rehabilitation exercises, monitor your recovery progress, arrange communication with doctors when necessary, and support your recovery journey until you reach your goals and fully recover.
Medebound HEALTH: Connecting You to the World’s Top Medical Resources
If you or your family are seeking top global treatments for complex diseases, Medebound HEALTH is your best choice. Through our collaboration with leading medical institutions in the USA, whether it is remote video consultations or treatment in the USA, we will provide you with full support.
Contact Us:
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