Chemotherapy is a standard treatment option for sarcomas that have spread to other parts of the body (metastatic sarcoma). This form of treatment can be used alone or combined with surgery and radiation therapy to manage the cancer.
Sarcoma is a complex disease. At Sarcoma Oncology Center, we know that a multimodal treatment approach that combines multiple strategies may be the most effective way to combat it. Chemotherapy plays a crucial role in this approach, offering a powerful tool to target cancer cells and improve treatment outcomes.
Chemotherapy refers to medications that target and destroy rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells. Depending on which drug is used, chemotherapy can be administered through a vein, injected into a body cavity, or delivered orally in the form of a pill. These drugs circulate throughout your bloodstream, reaching tumors throughout the body.
Chemotherapy is designed to specifically target fast-growing cells like cancer cells. Unfortunately, it cannot tell the difference between a cancer cell and healthy cells. This means that chemotherapy drugs may eliminate not only the fast-growing cancer cells but also other fast-growing cells in your body including hair and blood cells, leading to side effects from treatment.
Some cancer cells grow slowly while others grow rapidly. Therefore, each chemotherapy drug is designed to target the growth patterns of a specific type of cancer cell. As a result, each drug works differently and is effective at specific times in a cancer cell’s life cycle. Your doctor determines the chemotherapy drug that is right for you.
While tumor removal surgery and radiation therapy target specific areas of the body, chemotherapy is different because it travels through the bloodstream to all areas and systems of the body. This is also why chemotherapy is sometimes called a “systemic treatment.”
Chemotherapy can be used at different stages of sarcoma treatment:
In advanced stages of sarcoma, cancer cells may spread to other parts of the body. When this occurs, it's called metastatic sarcoma.
Chemotherapy becomes particularly important in this scenario. While it cannot always eliminate established metastases, chemotherapy can help to:
Chemotherapy offers several potential benefits in sarcoma treatment:
It's important to remember that the decision to use chemotherapy and its potential benefits vary for each case. At Sarcoma Oncology Center, your oncologist will discuss these details with you in detail to ensure you play an active role in your treatment journey.
Although chemotherapy can cause side effects, not all chemotherapy treatments cause them. Side effects can vary depending on the specific drugs used and their impact on your body. Additionally, most subside once treatment ends.
Side effects of chemotherapy may include:
Some side effects can be more pronounced with long-term implications, while others may be temporary and managed with medication and supportive care.
Even though chemotherapy treatments follow the Standard of Care, it is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. Standard of Care refers to the established, evidence-based approach to treating a specific medical condition.
It informs doctors on the recommended chemotherapy drugs, regimens, and treatment schedules for different types and stages of sarcoma. This approach is based on research that demonstrates the most effective and safe therapy options for a particular type and stage of cancer.
At Sarcoma Oncology Center, our experts use the framework offered by these guidelines to develop a personalized treatment plan based on several factors.
Standard of Care is constantly evolving as new research and clinical trials emerge. These trials often compare the effectiveness of new treatments against established standards. Understanding both chemotherapy treatments and Standard of Care empowers you to participate actively in your sarcoma treatment journey.
Many different chemotherapy drugs exist, each with its own mechanism of action. Common chemotherapy agents used for sarcoma include:
These drugs are often combined into regimens for enhanced effectiveness. Examples of common combination regimens include:
Alongside traditional chemotherapy, Sarcoma Oncology Center explores the potential of targeted therapies.
Targeted therapy is a type of cancer treatment that targets vulnerabilities within cancer cells, offering a more personalized approach to treatment.
Here are some examples of targeted therapies used for sarcoma:
Immunotherapy harnesses the power of your body's own immune system to fight cancer. These medications help the immune system recognize and attack sarcoma cells. Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising treatment approach for certain types of sarcoma.
At Sarcoma Oncology Center, we stay updated on the latest advancements in immunotherapy for sarcoma treatment. Here are some examples of immunotherapies used for sarcoma:
It's important to note that these are just a few examples. Your specific treatment options will depend on the type and stage of your sarcoma, your overall health, and other factors.
Sarcoma treatment is a field that is constantly evolving. At Sarcoma Oncology Center, we are committed to exploring innovative treatment options beyond traditional chemotherapy.
We are actively involved in offering patients information and participation in research on promising new therapies like immunotherapy and targeted therapy for cancer. Talk to our expert about possible options open for your case.
With over 30 years of medical and clinical research experience, Dr. Chawla partners with the chemo experts at The Sarcoma Center. He continues his pioneering work as a leader in experiential treatments and clinical trial drugs using some of the new advanced therapies for many of his cancer patients.
His efforts have resulted in breakthroughs in experiential therapies, including:
Our integrated treatment approach may include options for experiential therapies as part of a patient’s comprehensive cancer care. The Sarcoma Oncology Center collaborates with other centers to provide PD1 and PDL1 Inhibitor treatment and Hyperthermia Therapy for cancer.
We partner with you for the most effective treatment plan and treatment outcome. As with any treatment, experiential therapies might have side effects. However, by working closely with you, we help minimize any discomfort that arises.
Over the next five years, Dr. Chawla’s medical research will continue its focus on the development of:
All his research is focused on sarcomas, offering patients the very best treatment options available today.
At Sarcoma Oncology Center, we use chemotherapy as part of a multimodal, systemic therapy to fight sarcoma.
At our office in Santa Monica, we design personalized and innovative plans for treating a wide variety of sarcomas. Schedule a consultation with one of our experienced oncologists to discuss your situation and explore your treatment options.
To schedule a consultation, please call us at 310-552-9999 or request an appointment online.
