Treatment types

If you have been diagnosed with sarcoma, there are a few different treatment types you might have.

The type of treatment you have will depend on the stage and grade of your cancer, and the type of sarcoma you’ve been diagnosed with. Different types of sarcoma behave differently, which is why your treatment is tailored to you.

If you have any questions about treatment, you can call our Support Line for advice and guidance.

You and your team of doctors, also known as your multidisciplinary team (MDT), will talk about your treatment options. Together, you will decide which treatment to start.

Genomic testing

Genomic testing, or genetic testing, looks for changes in your genes that can cause health problems.

Your healthcare professional might recommend genomic testing to find out if a genetic mutation caused your sarcoma. If there’s a genetic cause, this may impact what treatment you have.

We have more information about genomic testing.

Surgery for sarcoma

Surgery is the main treatment for most people with sarcoma. You might also have radiotherapy or chemotherapy before or after surgery.

The type of surgery you have will depend on the type of sarcoma you have and where it is in your body.

Surgery usually involves removing the tumour and some tissue around it, known as taking a margin. Taking some surrounding tissue can reduce the risk of cancer coming back.

You can find out more about specific types of surgery for sarcoma, and the rehabilitation you might need after.

Radiotherapy for sarcoma

Radiotherapy uses high-energy radiation beams to kill cancer cells. You might have this before or after surgery to reduce the risk of sarcoma coming back.

You might have radiotherapy before surgery to shrink the size of the tumour so that it’s easier to operate on.

Some people have radiotherapy after surgery to remove any leftover cancer cells that are near the area of the tumour. Your doctor will let you know when you will have radiotherapy.

You might be offered radiotherapy if surgery is not possible or if the tumour cannot be completely removed.

Lymphoedema

Some treatments for sarcoma, such as radiotherapy and surgery, can damage the lymphatic system and cause lymphoedema. We have more information about lymphoedema.

Proton beam therapy for sarcoma

Some types of sarcoma can be treated using proton beam therapy (PBT). This is a type of radiotherapy that uses high-energy proton beams rather than high-energy radiation beams to deliver a dose of radiotherapy.

For most people, there is no strong evidence that PBT is better than X-ray radiotherapy in treating sarcoma. For a lot of people with sarcoma, X-ray radiotherapy may be just as effective, or more effective.

We have more information about proton beam therapy.

Chemotherapy for sarcoma

Chemotherapy is a medicine that kills cancer cells. You might take it as a tablet that you swallow, or it can be given direct into the veins.

Chemotherapy is mainly used for treating bone sarcomas either before or after surgery. It can also be used as an alternative to surgery.

Chemotherapy is only used on certain types of soft tissue sarcoma.

It’s normal to have questions about your sarcoma treatment. Macmillan Cancer Support have more information about chemotherapy and its side effects for bone sarcoma, and soft tissue sarcoma.

Best supportive care

Best supportive care, also known as palliative care, is treatment aimed at improving the quality of life for anyone with advanced or life-limiting sarcoma.

Palliative care is not the same as end of life care. People can have palliative care at any time during treatment, sometimes for many years.

We have more information about palliative care and sarcoma.

Clinical trials for sarcoma

You may be invited to take part in a clinical trial. Trials test new ways of diagnosing, treating or caring for people with sarcoma.

Some trials look at immunotherapy and targeted therapies as treatments for sarcoma. Others look at care and well-being.

Your doctor or nurse can tell you more about trials you may be able to take part in.

Our Clinical Trials Hub lists all the sarcoma clinical trials happening in the UK.