Diagnosed with sarcoma? Let's share

Because sarcomas are rare, I would like to start a conversation to help connect people living with sarcoma or caring for someone with sarcoma.

As you know, sarcoma is the general term for a broad group of cancers that begin in the bones and in the connective or soft tissues (soft tissue sarcoma). There are many different types and sub-types of sarcomas, for example: angiosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Ewing’s sarcoma, fibrosarcoma, gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), Kaposi's sarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, liposarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, osteosarcoma, pleomorphic sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, synovial sarcoma and more.

Let's get to know one another. Why not start by introducing yourself? What type of sarcoma have you been diagnosed with?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Sarcoma Support Group.

Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

@phuds01, I'm tagging @winter23 @tynerlisa, who have a child with synovial sarcoma and @ellengrubb who herself has synovial sarcoma. You may also be interested in these discussions:
- Synovial sarcoma: Proton or conventional radiation after surgery? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/radiation-following-surgery-proton-vs-conventional-treatment/
- Synovial sarcoma: what treatments might I expect? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/synovial-surcoma/

Phuds, has she had her appointment at MD Anderson yet? What is the treatment plan?

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Good morning!
She did have her first initial appointment last week. She had an appointment Monday, March 27th to go over ct results and treatment plan. I assume they will stage it also. Her liver enzymes are elevated. Will know more tomorrow.

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Profile picture for skullbasecancer4 @skullbasecancer4

My husband had the same type of tumor removed 27 years and was in great health. Also had radiation. The tumor reoccured 27 years later . Last time it was a one this time 2/3 , which is
not great news for him
. But for the last 27 years he was in great health . Do you have any symptoms? He was operated on at
Jackson Memorial
Hospital twice now with an amazing team of doctors , if you need any help . They saved his life twice .

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@stin26, I wanted to check in with you. How are you doing? Did you see the reply from @skullbasecancer4 who is ready to answer questions for you?

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Profile picture for amydunn @amydunn

Is there anyone who can give me information about the chemotherapy treatment involving Cyclophosphamide and the first few weeks of receiving it. What’s the norm if any what to look out for.

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@amydunn, you might appreciate this discussion:
- New to Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)—advice and help appreciated https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-to-cytoxan-advice-and-help-appreciated

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Profile picture for phuds01 @phuds01

Hello, my name is Lisa.
My sweet daughter-in-law (Karla 27 yrs old) has just been diagnosed with synovial sarcoma. She is in the process of getting an appointment scheduled with MDAnderson Houston.

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@phuds01, I'm tagging @winter23 @tynerlisa, who have a child with synovial sarcoma and @ellengrubb who herself has synovial sarcoma. You may also be interested in these discussions:
- Synovial sarcoma: Proton or conventional radiation after surgery? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/radiation-following-surgery-proton-vs-conventional-treatment/
- Synovial sarcoma: what treatments might I expect? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/synovial-surcoma/

Phuds, has she had her appointment at MD Anderson yet? What is the treatment plan?

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Profile picture for Terriebikes @bicycle3

I have had surgery and two rounds of radiation and two rounds of chemo.
Going without treatments now for a while to see if there are changes. At least I can embrace some spring sunshine.
I have good care but wish the doctors were more of a team.
I am 75 with two grand children so at a different stage. Try to keep some step in your life and relationship open ness.
Blessings.

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Hard part for me is lack of appetite and loss of taste and fatigue overtakes my days.

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Profile picture for sonnyfigueroa @sonnyfigueroa

Hi! My name is Sonny and I am a 49m living in Northern Nevada. I have been recently diagnosed with UPS, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. I had surgery to remove a tumor the size of 5.2 cm in my right upper thigh area. I am scheduled to have a pet scan and an mri next week so they can determine the next course of action, surgery or radiation.
This is all scary for me and my family. I have a wife and 3 girls 12 and under.
Any kind of guidance or inspirational talk would be great! Thank you

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I have had surgery and two rounds of radiation and two rounds of chemo.
Going without treatments now for a while to see if there are changes. At least I can embrace some spring sunshine.
I have good care but wish the doctors were more of a team.
I am 75 with two grand children so at a different stage. Try to keep some step in your life and relationship open ness.
Blessings.

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Profile picture for skullbasecancer4 @skullbasecancer4

My husband had the same type of tumor removed 27 years and was in great health. Also had radiation. The tumor reoccured 27 years later . Last time it was a one this time 2/3 , which is
not great news for him
. But for the last 27 years he was in great health . Do you have any symptoms? He was operated on at
Jackson Memorial
Hospital twice now with an amazing team of doctors , if you need any help . They saved his life twice .

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I am being saved multiple times also.
Best wishes

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Profile picture for sonnyfigueroa @sonnyfigueroa

Hi! My name is Sonny and I am a 49m living in Northern Nevada. I have been recently diagnosed with UPS, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. I had surgery to remove a tumor the size of 5.2 cm in my right upper thigh area. I am scheduled to have a pet scan and an mri next week so they can determine the next course of action, surgery or radiation.
This is all scary for me and my family. I have a wife and 3 girls 12 and under.
Any kind of guidance or inspirational talk would be great! Thank you

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Hi Sonny.

My name is Ralph and my dad has UPS. He is much older than you and was diagnosed in May of 2020 … but the one thing I can tell you is that you must remain positive and educate yourself on what’s out there.

Dad has been through radiation, immunotherapy and chemotherapy, with some surgeries in between. Currently, he is starting in a trial for a drug, Rogaratinib … It is an inhibitor for a protein (FGFR) that is the driver behind dad’s cancer.

The doctors are cautiously optimistic that he will have a good response from the drug… there are very few patients with UPS that are able to participate in the trial.

I hope by sharing his journey it will, hopefully, help you and others in some way.

Stay strong !!

Will keep in touch.

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Profile picture for skullbasecancer4 @skullbasecancer4

My husband had the same type of tumor removed 27 years and was in great health. Also had radiation. The tumor reoccured 27 years later . Last time it was a one this time 2/3 , which is
not great news for him
. But for the last 27 years he was in great health . Do you have any symptoms? He was operated on at
Jackson Memorial
Hospital twice now with an amazing team of doctors , if you need any help . They saved his life twice .

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Please ask. I will do my best.

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