Proton Therapy for Sarcoma

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Provision Notice: All of our Proton Therapy Centers are private stand-alone facilities, not busy hospitals; and we adhere to CDC guidelines to deliver safe care through COVID-19 precautions. We offer telehealth consultations that allow you to speak to a physician about your cancer from the comfort and safety of your own home with our simple telemedicine program.

Proton Therapy for Sarcoma

Sarcomas are cancerous tumors that develop in connective tissues. Connective tissue describes parts of the body including fat, bones, muscles, nerves, and cartilage. There are more than 70 types of sarcoma, which can be divided into two main groups, soft tissue sarcomas and bone sarcomas. While sarcomas can develop in adults, pediatric sarcomas are more prevalent.

Although it is difficult to determine what causes sarcoma, researchers have identified several factors that can increase the risk of developing the disease. These include inherited syndromes, chronic swelling, and exposure to chemicals and viruses.

Symptoms

Symptoms of sarcoma often do not appear in the early stages of the cancer. Typical symptoms include:
• Pain if a tumor presses on nerves or muscles
• A noticeable lump or swelling
• A blockage in the stomach or intestines or gastrointestinal bleeding (if tumor is in abdomen/digestive tract)
• Bone pain
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss

Diagnosis

When diagnosing a sarcoma, a physician will most likely complete a physical exam and various imaging tests, including x-rays, computerized tomography (CT) scans, ultrasounds, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET). A physician may also choose to complete a biopsy, removing an area of affected tissue to examine for cancer.

Treatment

When delivering proton beam therapy for sarcoma, physicians are able to aggressively treat tumors with high doses of protons while protecting surrounding tissue. Because the protons enter the body at the targeted spot, then stop, removing the exit dose, the sensitive tissue that usually surrounds the sarcoma will receive less secondhand radiation.

Nashville, TN

Telehealth now available. Speak to a physician from the safety of your own home. For information or to schedule a consultation, contact us to speak with a Cancer Care Expert.



Nashville
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Knoxville, TN

Telehealth now available. Speak to a physician from the safety of your own home. For information or to schedule a consultation, contact us to speak with a Cancer Care Expert.




Knoxville
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Patient Stories

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Tina Z.
Sarcoma Cancer