This page explains where your child or young person may be treated for sarcoma, and why.
Principal Treatment Centres (PTCs)
Principal Treatment Centre’s (PTCs) are hospitals that specialise in treating cancer in children and young people. They have expert teams who make decisions about diagnosis, and plan care and treatment.
If your child is under 16, they will have their treatment at a PTC for children. Young people aged 16 to 24 will also be treated at a PTC, but usually at a centre that specialises in teenage and young adult (TYA) cancer care.
Even if treatment takes place at a different hospital, care is still planned and overseen by a specialist sarcoma team.
Depending on your child’s situation, some parts of their treatment might take place at another hospital closer to you. This could be a shared care centre or a Paediatric Oncology Shared Care Unit (POSCU). We have more information about shared care centres and POSCUs.
You can explore the map below to see all the PTCs in the UK and find your nearest one.
Shared care and POSCUs
This information is about shared care centres, also known as Paediatric Oncology Shared Care Units (POSCUs).
Your child might have some of their sarcoma treatment at a shared care centre. This means some of their care can take place at a hospital closer to you. They may not need to travel to the Principal Treatment Centre (PTC) each time. This can make things easier for your loved ones while still ensuring your child gets the best care.
The doctors and nurses at the shared care centre work closely with your child’s main team at the PTC. They share information, follow the same treatment plan, and make sure everything stays joined up.
There are three main levels of shared care services. What’s available depends on where you live and your child’s treatment plan.
Standard
If your child feels unwell during treatment, they can go to a Standard POSCU. For example, if they have a high temperature or need blood tests. These hospitals don’t give cancer treatments themselves, but they can help with general health problems and support your child between treatments.
Enhanced Level A
An Enhanced Level A POSCU offers everything available in a Standard POSCU but can also give chemotherapy as a day patient.
Enhanced Level B
An Enhanced Level B shared care centre offers all the services available in Enhanced A POSCUs and can also provide chemotherapy 24 hours a day. Children can stay overnight if needed, and the hospital may be able to give more types of chemotherapy closer to home.
If you are not sure what level of shared care your hospital offers, ask your child’s doctor or nurse. They can explain what’s available and how it fits into your child’s treatment plan.
Was this information useful?
Quality assurance
We are a PIF TICK certified charity, which means our health information is produced to the highest possible standards.
Last reviewed February 2026 | Next review due February 2029
All references are available upon request. Please email info@sarcoma.org.uk
