Raising awareness about sarcoma is essential to reducing treatment delays and preventing misdiagnoses of this rare cancer with over 100 subtypes. The Association of Cancer Care Centers (ACCC) is dedicated to providing up-to-date information on sarcoma management and the unique challenges associated with diagnosis and treatment in community settings. In this episode, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Richard Riedel, MD, professor of medicine at Duke Cancer Institute, to explore the critical resources needed for sarcoma care, including psychosocial support and the financial difficulties often faced by patients. Dr Riedel also discusses the future of treatment options in community-based settings and the importance of collaboration between community providers and academic/specialty centers. Additionally, CANCER BUZZ speaks with Katie Wintergerst, a sarcoma patient, who shares her personal journey and the challenges she encountered on her path to diagnosis.

“It’s critically important to partner with centers with disease-specific expertise, academic centers, for example, that are well-positioned to partner with community-based providers in providing optimal care for patients.” – Richard Riedel, MD

“What I’ve had to become comfortable with ... is that clinical trials can be tricky and they can be scary, but in the world of sarcoma, there haven’t been a lot of new products FDA-approved for treatment. Clinical trials is where the work is going on.” -Katie Wintergerst

Richard Riedel, MD

Professor of Medicine

Duke Cancer Institute

Durham, NC

Katie Wintergerst

Sarcoma Patient

Resources:

ACCC Sarcoma Resources for Providers and Patients

SFA Clinical Trials Resource Center

Sarcoma Treatment Centers