Counseling

Oncology social workers help you cope with the emotional and practical challenges of sarcoma. Contact us at 800‑813‑HOPE (4673) or info@cancercare.org.
Learn more about counseling.

Financial Assistance

Find resources and support to manage your financial concerns. Limited assistance from CancerCare^® is available to eligible families for cancer-related costs.

Support Groups

Connect with others in our free support groups led by oncology social workers.

We currently do not offer a sarcoma specific group. You may consider joining our general online support groups for people with cancer. Register now.

Community Programs

If you live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut, learn about and view the full calendar of our free community programs.

Connect Education Workshops

Listen in by telephone or online as leading experts in oncology provide up-to-date information about cancer-related issues in one-hour workshops. Podcasts are also available.

Upcoming Workshops

General Topics

• Participating in Decisions about Your Care, Apr 8, 2020
• Caregiving for Your Loved One with Cancer, Apr 14, 2020
• The New Coronavirus (COVID-19): Updated Guidelines for People Coping with Cancer, Apr 20, 2020
• For Caregivers: Care Coordination for Your Loved One Living with Cancer and Other Health Problems, Apr 22, 2020
• Understanding the Role of Immunotherapy in Treating Cancer, Apr 29, 2020
• Managing the Side Effects of Immunotherapy, May 6, 2020

Podcasts

Sarcoma

• Update on Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Jan 31, 2020
• Update on Rare Sarcomas, Oct 11, 2019
• Update on Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Oct 6, 2017
• Highlights from the 2017 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Sep 28, 2017

General Topics

• The New Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidelines for People Coping with Cancer, Mar 30, 2020
• New Perspectives in Clinical Trial Research, Mar 20, 2020
• Trends in Oncology and Treatment Planning: What You Need to Know, Mar 4, 2020
• Managing Eye and Vision Changes Related to Cancer Treatments, Mar 2, 2020
• Taking Your Treatment on Schedule: Its Importance in Managing Cancer, Feb 26, 2020
• Care for Your Bones During & After Cancer Treatment: Tips to Improve Bone Health, Nov 18, 2019
• Preventing Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting, Oct 28, 2019
• Participating in Decisions about Your Care, Jun 19, 2019
• New Trends in Cancer Survivorship, Jun 18, 2019
• For Caregivers: Care Coordination for Your Loved One Living with Cancer and Other Health Problems, Jun 17, 2019
• Understanding the Costs of Care and Your Health Care Coverage, Jun 12, 2019
• Update on Clinical Trials: How They Work, Jun 10, 2019
• Cancer and the Workplace: Understanding Your Legal Protections, May 29, 2019
• Trends in Oncology and Treatment Planning: What You Need to Know, May 22, 2019
• Managing the Side Effects of Immunotherapy, May 15, 2019
• Understanding the Role of Immunotherapy in Treating Cancer, Apr 17, 2019
• Managing Eye and Vision Changes Related to Cancer Treatments, Apr 15, 2019
• Joys and Challenges of Pets in Your Home When You Have Cancer, Apr 8, 2019
• Taking Your Pills on Schedule: Its Importance in Treating Cancer, Apr 3, 2019
• Caregiving for Your Loved One with Cancer, Mar 19, 2019
• Life with Graft vs. Host Disease (GVHD) Post Allogeneic Stem Cell or Bone Marrow Transplantation: New Treatment Approaches, Dec 13, 2018
• Current Perspectives on Cancer Survivorship, Dec 11, 2018
• Genomics and the Future of Cancer Treatment, Oct 15, 2018
• Genomics and Genetics: What is the Difference?, Jun 25, 2018
• Update on CAR-T Cell Therapy, Jun 25, 2018
• Treatment-Related Rash and Dry Skin, Jun 20, 2018
• Current Perspectives on Cancer Survivorship, Jun 19, 2018
• What Are Biosimilars? Understanding Their Role in Cancer Treatments: Current and Future Perspectives, May 24, 2018
• Managing the Side Effects of Immunotherapy, May 2, 2018
• Understanding the Role of Immunotherapy in Treating Cancer, Apr 25, 2018
• Taking Your Pills on Schedule: Why It Is So Important in Managing Cancer, Apr 18, 2018
• Preventing Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting, Apr 16, 2018
• Managing Eye and Vision Changes Related to Cancer Treatments, Feb 26, 2018
• Mind Body Techniques to Cope with the Stresses of Cancer, Nov 15, 2017
• What Are Generic Drugs: Understanding Their Role in Cancer Treatment, Jun 29, 2017
• For Caregivers: Care Coordination for Your Loved One Living with Cancer and Other Health Problems, Jun 14, 2017
• Taking Your Pills on Schedule: The Importance of Adherence in the Treatment of Cancer, Jun 14, 2017
• Participating in Decisions about Your Care, Jun 7, 2017
• Cancer and the Workplace: Understanding Your Legal Protections, May 24, 2017
• Preventing Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting, May 22, 2017
• Understanding the Costs of Care and Your Health Care Coverage, May 17, 2017
• Trends in Oncology and Treatment Planning: What You Need to Know, May 3, 2017
• Managing the Side Effects of Immunotherapy, Mar 15, 2017
• Living with Cancer Throughout The Cancer Journey, Mar 10, 2017
• Understanding the Role of Immunotherapy in Treating Cancer, Mar 8, 2017
• Managing Eye and Vision Changes Related to Cancer Treatments, Mar 6, 2017
• What Are Biosimilars? Understanding Their Role in Cancer Treatment: Current and Future Perspectives, Feb 1, 2017
• Managing Sensory Disruptions During Cancer Treatments, Dec 5, 2016
• For Health Care Professionals: Care Coordination for Older Men Living with Cancer, Aug 23, 2016
• Precision Medicine in Cancer Treatment, Jun 29, 2016
• Managing the Costs of Living with Cancer, Jun 8, 2016
• Advances in Treating Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting, May 23, 2016
• Taking Your Pills on Schedule – Why It Is So Important in Managing Cancer, Feb 10, 2016
• Nutrition and Healthy Eating Tips During and After Cancer Treatments, Feb 1, 2016
• Cancer and the Workplace: Knowing Your Legal Rights, Dec 10, 2015
• What’s New in Managing Blood Clots During Cancer Treatments, Oct 30, 2015
• For Health Care Professionals: Care Coordination for Older Men Living with Cancer, Jul 14, 2015
• Understanding Diagnostic Technologies and Biomarkers, May 6, 2015
• Healthy Eating and Managing Weight Changes During Cancer Treatment, Apr 13, 2015
• Managing the Costs of Living with Cancer, Feb 4, 2015
• For Caregivers: Practical Tips to Cope, Nov 14, 2014
• Highlights of the Affordable Care Act, Nov 11, 2014
• Managing Cancer Pain: What You Need to Know, Mar 21, 2014
• Understanding Chemotherapy-Induced Neutropenia: Low White Blood Cell Counts, Feb 21, 2014
• Cancer and the Workplace, Feb 6, 2014
• Advances in Treating Chemotherapy-Related Nausea and Vomiting, Jan 24, 2014
• Young Adult Survivorship: Fertility, Sexuality and Intimacy, Jun 28, 2013
• Understanding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for People Living with Cancer, Dec 12, 2012
• Helping Cancer Patients and Their Families Cope with the Stresses of Caregiving, Dec 6, 2012
• Managing Post-Treatment Neuropathy, Jul 17, 2012
• Stress Management for Caregivers: Practical Tips to Cope, Jun 29, 2012
• Changing Roles and Responsibilities for Caregivers, Jun 19, 2012
• Recapturing Joy and Finding Meaning, May 15, 2012
• Planning Your Comfort and Care at End of Life, May 10, 2012
• Using Mind/Body Techniques to Cope with the Stress of Survivorship, Apr 24, 2012
• Nutrition, Physical Activity and You: A Guide for People Living With Cancer, Nov 15, 2011
• Understanding the Important Role of Adherence in the Medical Management of Cancer, Sep 21, 2011
• Fear of Recurrence and Late Effects: Living with Uncertainty, Jul 12, 2011
• Money Matters: Finding Resources to Manage Cancer Treatment Costs, Jun 22, 2011
• Stress Management for Caregivers: Taking Care of Yourself Physically and Emotionally, Jun 14, 2011
• The Challenges of Coping with Cancer and Other Health Problems, Jun 1, 2011
• Weight Changes After Cancer Treatment: Why is it Happening and What Can I Do About It, May 10, 2011
• Mouth Pain and Discomfort: All You Need to Know About Mouth Sores and Oral Mucositis, Apr 27, 2011
• Helping Children and Teens Understand When a Parent or Loved One Has Cancer, Apr 20, 2011
• Chemobrain: The Impact of Cancer Treatments on Memory, Thinking and Attention, Apr 12, 2011
• Survivors Too: Communicating With and Among Family, Friends and Loved Ones, Jul 13, 2010
• Survivorship and Workplace Transitions, Jun 22, 2010
• Communicating with Your Health Care Team After Treatment: Making the Most of Your Visit, May 18, 2010
• Trouble Sleeping? Sleep Better to Feel Better: Tips You Can Use, Apr 13, 2010
• Helping Teachers and Educators Support Siblings of Children with Cancer, Oct 8, 2009
• Understanding Peripheral Neuropathy, Jul 16, 2009
• Survivors Too: Family, Friends and Loved Ones - Managing the Fatigue of Caregiving, Jun 23, 2009
• The Importance of Nutrition and Physical Activity, May 19, 2009
• For Parents, Caregivers and Professionals: Helping Brothers and Sisters of Children Living with Cancer, May 14, 2009
• Dental Health During Cancer Treatments, Apr 24, 2009
• Managing the Stress of Survivorship, Apr 14, 2009
• Medical Emergencies in Cancer Treatment, Apr 1, 2009
• Balancing Cancer and Careers: Living and Working with Cancer, Mar 12, 2009
• For Caregivers: Coping with Holidays, Special Occasions and Birthdays, Throughout the Year, Dec 12, 2008
• Survivors Too: Family, Friends and Loved Ones, Jun 24, 2008
• Rediscovering Intimacy in Your Relationships Following Treatment, May 13, 2008
• The Importance of Communicating with Your Doctor About Follow-Up Care, Apr 22, 2008
• Finding Hope and Meaning After Treatment, Jun 19, 2007
• My Treatment is Over: Why Do I Feel So Alone and Sad?, May 15, 2007
• Neuropathy and Joint Aches: New Post Treatment Challenges, Apr 17, 2007
• Managing Your Costs of Recovery, Jun 20, 2006
• Balancing Your Needs and Your Role as a Caregiver, Jun 13, 2006
• Is It My Cancer or Am I Getting Older?, May 23, 2006
• The Bereaved Caregiver in the Workplace, May 10, 2006
• Stress Management Tips for Survivors, Apr 25, 2006
• The Challenge of Creating Supportive Work Environments for Employees with Cancer and Their Caregivers, Apr 5, 2006

Publications

Read or order our free Connect booklets and fact sheets offering easy-to-read information about the latest cancer treatments, managing side effects and coping with cancer.

Sarcoma

• Treatment Update: SarcomaNew!

General Topics

• Coping With Cancer: Tools to Help You Live
• Caregiving for Your Loved One With CancerNew!
• Helping Children When a Family Member Has Cancer
• Communicating With Your Health Care Team
• Understanding and Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects
• Sources of Financial Assistance
• Finding Resources in Your Community
• If You've Just Been Diagnosed
• “What Can I Say to a Newly Diagnosed Loved One?”
• Caring Advice for Caregivers: How Can You Help Yourself?

Ask CancerCare

Every month, featured experts answer your questions about coping with cancer. View all questions and answers.

Sarcoma

• Q.

  A family member has been diagnosed and I think she should see someone who specializes in treating sarcoma (I don't think this is currently the case). Do you know where I can find that information? Also, do you offer a support group for people with sarcoma?

  A.

  You raise an important question regarding the importance of specialized expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of sarcoma, which is a cancer of the bone or connective tissues, including bone, fat, muscle, blood vessels, nerves, deep skin tissue and cartilage.

  Because sarcoma is rare, there is an initial challenge of determining which bone and soft-tissue tumors are sarcomas and which are benign (not cancerous). That is why it is important, wherever possible, to seek advice at sarcoma treatment centers. Experts at these centers have the latest information and important experience in diagnosing and treating this type of cancer. A list of some of these centers can be found on the Sarcoma Alliance website, www.sarcomaalliance.org. Your doctor may also be able to refer you to a nearby sarcoma treatment center.

  The Sarcoma Alliance offers list of support groups. At this time, CancerCare does not offer a support group for people with sarcoma, but anyone affected by sarcoma can join one of our other cancer-related groups, including those for young adults and caregivers. You can find all of CancerCare’s sarcoma-related resources, including workshops and publications, on our website.

  Answered by
  Sandra Tripodi, MSW, LCSW

  ∞ Direct link to this question

  Tags:sarcomasupport groups

• Q.

  Can you recommend good resources and information about rhabdomyosarcoma? My niece was just diagnosed.

  A.

  Rhabdomyosarcoma is a relatively rare form of cancer, but it is the most common type of soft tissue sarcoma in children. It is most common in children ages one to five, and is also found in teens aged 15 to 19, although this is more rare. This cancer can also occur in adulthood but that incidence is rarer still. Rhabdomyosarcoma can begin in many places in the body. However, it is most present in areas such as the head, neck and genitourinary tract. Its two most common forms are embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma and alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma.

  Treatment recommendations are based on the stage of the cancer and whether all the cancer was removed by surgery. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. It is also recommended that those with rhabdomyosarcoma have their treatment planned by a team of health care providers who are experts in their field.

  When seeking sources of information online, it is important to visit websites that are reliable and up-to-date. The National Cancer Institute is a terrific resource, as is the Sarcoma Alliance. Cancer.net is a patient-friendly website from the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

  Answered by
  Sandra Tripodi, MSW, LCSW

  ∞ Direct link to this question

  Tags:sarcoma

Featured Resource

Magnolia Meals at Home

A meal delivery program that helps patients by providing nourishing meals to households affected by cancer. Is currently available in and around Woodcliff Lake, NJ and Andover, MA, Raleigh-Durham, NC and New Haven, CT (as well areas in New York, New Hampshire and Boston, MA). For more information please visit magnoliamealsathome.com or contact Kathy Nugent, LCSW at 800-813-4673, ext. 6809.

Stories of Help and Hope

Read inspiring personal accounts from people affected by cancer and the ways they've found to cope.

• Charles H., Diagnosed with sarcoma