WINTER 2021 NEWSLETTER
Sarcoma News Corner
Doctors had to remove the shoulder joint of a woman diagnosed with chondrosarcoma. To replace it, they made a 3D model and used an organ donor ankle joint so that she would have arm function. Amazing!
Recent advances and challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of desmoid tumors are discussed by a number of sarcoma experts, including Dr. Alexander J. Lazar, Dr. R. Lor Randall, Dr. Breelyn Wilky, Dr. Ravin Ratan, and Sarcoma Alliance board member Dr. Gina D'Amato. Desmoid tumors are related to sarcomas and are considered benign but can cause many health problems.
Results presented at the annual CTOS meeting of a study of children and young adults with pre-treated sarcomas showed that the combination of an immunotherapy, a targeted treatment, and a chemotherapy (bevacizumab, sorafenib, and low-dose cyclophosphamide) resulted in stable disease or better in two-thirds of the bone sarcoma patients, including one complete response.
A new method, using artificial intelligence to precisely control radiation therapy, has been used to treat sarcomas that are wrapped around important organs and can't be removed by surgery. This new method uses one dose instead of many, and avoids healthy tissue.
San Francisco 49ers star and sarcoma survivor Trent Williams discusses his frustrations with getting diagnosed and then getting support from his former NFL team for treatment for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). More awareness of sarcoma cancers is essential!
New Patient Guide
We are pleased to announce that a guide for new sarcoma patients is now available on our organization's website. Developed by our Board Member, Courtney Hill, PMHNP, this page serves as a starting point for people who are newly diagnosed with sarcoma. The guide outlines steps to prepare for the journey ahead including finding a treatment center, talking to loved ones about a diagnosis, and caring for one's mental health. Facing a cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming and lonely. By creating this page, we hope to alleviate some of these feelings and to let new patients know that they are not alone.
Give & Receive Support
Our wonderful partner, Imerman Angels, is a nonprofit organization that specializes in providing people facing cancer with one-on-one support. When you sign up to give or receive support through Imerman Angels, you are matched with someone who has a similar background and experience with the same subtype. Peer-to-peer programs like this one can help to facilitate positive relationships between individuals affected by sarcoma so that they may find emotional support, encouragement, and information. Interested or want to learn more? Click here.
January is also National Mentoring Month, a month to celebrate and amplify the the power of relationships. Join the movement and spread the word by sharing stories about mentoring and using the hashtags #MentoringMonth and #MentoringAmplifies. Don't forget to tag the Sarcoma Alliance and Imerman Angels on social media so we can share.
New Year's Recipes
Need some inspiration for snacks or New Year's celebrations? We've got you covered! Fresh from our Sage Cuisine cookbook, these recipes are sure to add a bit of zest to your new year.
Eggplant Dip - Bright notes of balsamic vinegar and mint enhance the flavors of earthy eggplant in this recipe from our founder's friend, Kim Baltzell.
Italian Torte - Featuring lovely layers of pesto, sun-dried tomato, and olive, this recipe was crafted by our organization's founder, Suzanne Leider.
Macadamia-Lemon Bars à la Marites - A refreshing balance of tangy, nutty, and sweet, this recipe is from Suzanne's friend and our wonderful board member Marites Tullius.
Rain Therapeutics, Inc.
Rain Therapeutics, a new partner of the Sarcoma Alliance, has initiated Phase 3 of their MANTRA Clinical Trial of milademetan (RAIN-32), a MDM2 inhibitor. This therapy is under investigation for use versus trabectedin, a current standard of care, in the treatment of patients with dedifferentiated (DD) liposarcoma (LPS). MDM2 gene amplification is a genomic abnormality that is common in DD LPS patients.
Coping with the Holidays
As celebrations are underway and continue through January and February, we thought we would share this article from Thompson Cancer Center with you. Holiday seasons can be stressful, especially when you are facing cancer. The article outlines ways to cope and includes tips for both patients and caregivers. If you're looking for a few techniques to relax and de-stress, this document from Cancer Care also provides exercises for breathing, meditation, and guided imagery. We hope that wherever you are and whichever celebrations you are partaking in, that you take a bit of time to care for yourself.
Monthly Giving
Nobody should face sarcoma alone.
Did you know that you can support the Sarcoma Alliance all year long? When you give gifts the price of your daily coffee, they add up over the course of the year to the amount of an Assistance Fund grant for sarcoma patients seeking second opinions. By giving monthly, you can help fund a sarcoma patient's consultation with a sarcoma expert. It's quick and easy to schedule your gifts for 2022, just click the button below to get started.
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