Sarcoma Care

If your child has been diagnosed with sarcoma, you want to work with experts who have experience in treating your child's disease. Sarcomas in children and adolescents can behave differently than in adults, and they can affect your child's development in many ways. That's why it's crucial to partner with specialists who understand the impact this cancer type and its treatment can have—on your child and your whole family.

At Columbia, our pediatric cancer specialists have experience treating even the rarest forms of sarcoma. Our team will provide compassionate, comprehensive care for your child, and we will partner with you to manage and treat their disease. We'll work hard to get your child back to doing what they enjoy.

What Are Sarcomas?

Sarcomas are cancers that begin in the bones and other connective tissues, such as muscles, tendons, cartilage, or nerves. Though rare, sarcomas are highly aggressive and require accurate diagnosis and treatment to reduce the chances of spreading or recurrence.

There are two main groups of sarcomas: bone sarcoma and soft tissue sarcoma. They develop when mutations in the DNA of immature bone or soft tissue cells make the cells grow and divide uncontrollably, forming a tumor. As the tumor gets bigger, it may create a lump or swelling that can cause pain and discomfort.

Because sarcomas can develop in so many places in the body, treatment varies depending not only on the tumor’s location but also its size, the type of sarcoma, and the age and general health of the patient. But thanks to recent advances, they can often be effectively treated and prevented from recurring.

Care at Columbia

At Columbia, our pediatric cancer experts take a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to treating sarcomas. We offer the latest and most advanced treatment options, including minimally invasive surgery, limb-sparing surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and interventional radiology.

Sometimes sarcomas require reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation. Our outstanding pediatric surgeons and rehabilitation specialists will provide the compassionate care and support your child needs throughout their journey.

The Resources of a Leading Pediatric Hospital

As part of NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital—named the #1 children's hospital in New York City by U.S. News & World Report—we can work closely with our many colleagues across different pediatric specialties to deliver the best care possible for your child.

Personalized Care for Your Child

We know each child is unique, and every cancer is different. That's why we provide integrative and personalized care to our patients. Through our Precision in Pediatric Sequencing (PIPseq) program, your child will receive a customized treatment plan for their specific type of sarcoma. We look at the genetic makeup of your child's tumor to determine the best strategy forward for their particular case. Our pediatric experts work together with you to manage both your child's disease and their whole well-being.

The Latest in Research

At Columbia, our doctors are passionate participants in ongoing research to find and develop safer and more effective ways to diagnose, manage, and treat sarcomas. Our Developmental Therapeutics Program explores tomorrow's treatments while advancing care today. And as part of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, your child will have access to the latest clinical trials for innovative new therapies and treatments.

Learn About Clinical Trials for Pediatric Sarcomas at Columbia

Conditions We Treat

• Bone cancer
  • Ewing sarcoma
  • Osteosarcoma
• Soft tissue sarcoma
  • Alveolar soft part sarcoma
  • Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
  • Desmoid tumor
  • Desmoplastic small round cell tumor
  • Infantile fibrosarcoma
  • Leiomyosarcomas
  • Liposarcomas
  • Rhabdomyosarcoma
  • Synovial sarcoma

Treatments We Offer

• Chemotherapy
• Limb-sparing surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Targeted therapy

Highlighted Programs

• Adolescent and Young Adult Program
• Center for Comprehensive Wellness
• Center for Survivor Wellness
• Palliative Care Program
• The Pediatric Cancer Foundation Developmental Therapeutics Program
• Precision in Pediatric Sequencing (PIPseq) program