Diagnosed with sarcoma? Let's share

My mom was just diagnosed with Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma after having what the doctors said was a cyst removed from near her elbow. I’m so worried about her, we are having the first appointment with the oncologist in two days. I just wanted to see if anyone here had this type of cancer and what their experience was with it. Thank you

Absolutely! My mom got her ultimate healing, but my aunt's mom lived for many, many years with the same type of cancer my mom had.

I think I may be very lucky in that we are only 1-2 hours south of Emory in Atlanta. My oncologist was described to me as a surgical specialist in osteo sarcoma. I am 78 and remain hopeful but not naive and if necessary I will contact Anderson specialists in Jacksonville Florida. I'm so sorry for you and your mother. It must surely have been heartbreaking for you both. I'm only now beginning to realize the impact this will have on my family. I have chosen not to reveal any of this until I have a much better understanding of my options if any. If I can remain positive and upbeat it will certainly be much easier on them. Thanks again for your prayers. God in His wisdom will carry me thru.

When I was trying to do research for my mom, it was VERY hard to find research on sarcomas. I think because they are so rare? There is only one sarcoma specialist in Indiana, and we didn't know anyone with her type of sarcoma (leiomyosarcoma). I'll be praying for you! I know this is such hard news. It was for my mom, and it was for me - her only child.

Thanks for replying. I will see my oncologist tomorrow. After much research I am better prepared for not such good news. I think it helps to not be surprised so that one can more easily absorb important information and try to behave appropriately especially in the presence of a loved one.

I was diagnosed in 2017 with Pleomorphic Liposarcoma. As with your case, it is very rare and it took 5 weeks to even get the diagnosis. There are not a lot of studies, because of its rarity, so protocols for treatment seemed to be a bit of a shot in the dark. Surgery removed the sarcoma from my back and after 10 weeks of wound healing, radiation and chemo followed. I started followups with Blood work, MRI’s and CT scans every three months. I am now to the point of doing my followups yearly. This is an adjustment for me as I have found security in those followups. So far I have been very fortunate as there has been no reoccurrence to date. It sounds as if your direction is similar.
Trust the process and your Mayo team. They ARE the best.
Best wishes going forward, one day at a time.

Thank you. I will be asking if the scalp’s bone density acts as a barrier for the brain. Need to know how the limited depth of the soft tissue on the scalp impacts the treatment plan, compared to locations on limbs or torso.

Good Luck and good you have it diagnosed correctly - my Dad had a skin tag removed from his back which has turned out to be pleomorphic sarcoma. Make sure you request chest x Ray/CT to ensure no spread. We were told these were very rare too and not a lot of research on treatment options (I’m sure yours will be surgically removed if on scalp but Dads is now in lungs).

I am diagnosed with pleomorphic sarcoma on my scalp, which I understand to be very rare. I have my initial meeting with my oncologist today and don’t yet know the stage or grade. She is a board certified surgical oncologist. Because of the location, should I seek a specialized treatment facility.

I am not a medical professional. I do know that sarcomas are nasty, aggressive cancers, so please listen to your sarcoma specialist. My mom had leiomyosarcoma.