Your First Visit

 

Every adult sarcoma patient at SCCA has a personal team that includes an oncologist who specializes in treating sarcoma, sarcoma surgery staff, nurse case managers, and a radiation oncologist, if needed.

Before your first visit, the team will have reviewed your X-rays and any other scans or tests you have already had. If you do not live in or near Seattle, we may ask your referring doctor to arrange for additional tests or scans so that these results are available before your appointment at SCCA.

On your first visit to the Sarcoma Service, you will meet with your doctor, who will ask you questions about your medical history and your current problem. This will be followed by a physical exam.

Then you will sit down for a conference with your doctor and other members of your team to discuss a treatment plan. This visit usually lasts two to three hours. We recommend that you bring a friend or family member with you to your appointment for support as well as to take notes during the conversation.

Virtually all of our patients require surgery, and most are also treated with either chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both. If you are from out-of-town, it may be possible for you to have your surgery in Seattle and have chemotherapy or radiation treatments closer to home.

Surgery for SCCA patients is performed at University of Washington Medical Center. Inpatient chemotherapy for SCCA patients is also done at UW Medical Center. Outpatient chemotherapy and radiation treatments are done at the SCCA clinic.

The treatment you will receive will depends on the grade of your cancer.

To read more about sarcoma treatment, click on the links below.

• Treatment for Bone Cancer
• Treatment for Soft-Tissue Sarcomas

August 2007