Pediatric Sarcoma Program

Sarcomas grow from connective tissue, like the body’s bones and soft tissues (such as muscles). These rare cancers make up 10% of childhood cancers, with most affecting the bones.

At Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center, our pediatric oncology specialists work side by side to deliver personalized care tailored to your child’s needs. Clinical psychologists and social workers are close at hand to help families cope with cancer’s emotional impact and adapt to changes throughout treatment.

Why choose us for pediatric sarcoma care?

Highlights of our program include:

• Expertise in rare pediatric sarcoma cancers: Our team sees a high volume of pediatric patients with soft-tissue sarcoma and bone cancers. This depth of experience helps us deliver expert care for rare and complex tumors. Our team includes respected leaders in pediatric cancer research. Learn more about bone cancer, including osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma.
• Full spectrum of care close to home: At our Bone Tumor Clinic at University Hospital in San Antonio, patients can see multiple specialists (pediatric oncologists, surgeons and rehabilitative specialists) in one place. Children receive chemotherapy treatments in a dedicated pediatric oncology inpatient wing at University Hospital. Chemotherapy-certified nurses staff this program, providing a high level of expertise and safety.
• Collaborative approach: Several sarcoma specialists meet regularly to discuss the specifics of your child’s care. This close relationship among pediatric oncologists, surgeons and others helps us recommend leading-edge treatments that are most appropriate for your child’s situation.
• Extensive support: We offer many resources to help patients and families through emotional and other challenges. Social workers coordinate with schools so children can balance schoolwork with treatment sessions. Clinical psychologists help children and families cope with a cancer diagnosis and adjust to the changes it brings.
• Specialized programs: We offer unique programs focused on meeting the specific needs of pediatric cancer patients. Our adolescent and young adult cancer program provides support and services, such as counseling and fertility preservation options, tailored to patients between the ages of 15 and 39. Our childhood cancer survivorship program helps young cancer patients live full, healthy lives long after treatment ends.

Our team approach to sarcoma cancer

Doctors with different areas of pediatric and cancer expertise collaborate closely on every child’s care. This approach enables us to personalize treatment to each child’s needs while supporting children and families.

Our pediatric sarcoma team includes:

• Orthopaedic surgeons skilled in techniques to remove sarcoma cancers with less impact on a child’s life
• Pediatric oncologists who specialize in rare soft-tissue sarcoma and bone cancers that affect children
• Radiation oncologists with expertise in using high-energy radiation therapies to treat pediatric bone cancers
• Pathologists with expert knowledge of how soft-tissue and bone cancer sarcoma cells look and act
• Rehabilitation doctors with specialized training in physical therapy and orthotic and prosthetic devices to help patients adapt when cancer treatment affects how they move
• Social workers who work with schools to manage absences during cancer treatment and help families overcome obstacles related to insurance or travel
• Clinical psychologists with pediatric training who offer advice and guidance to help patients and families manage the emotional impacts of cancer treatment

Research and clinical trials for pediatric sarcoma

We partner with national and international groups of respected childhood cancer researchers, including the National Cancer Institute’s Children’s Oncology Group and the Pediatric Oncology Experimental Therapeutics Investigators’ Consortium (POETIC).

This research focus helps us develop new therapies and improve the lives of children and young adults who have cancer. Eligible patients can access many types of clinical trials, including sarcoma trials that focus on cancer treatment, supportive care and survivorship.

Learn more about pediatric cancer clinical trials.

Care location

University Hospital

• Pediatric Sarcoma Oncology | Horizon Tower 10th Floor