Treatment Guidelines

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Improving Patient Outcomes

Treatment guidelines are aimed at improving patient outcomes, using evidence, to create a set of instructions to help clinicians know how best to manage the patient. They are particularly important in rare diseases such as sarcoma where the experience of treating this rare cancer is low and centralised care in higher volume centres is the best practice. In New Zealand there is a National Guidelines project underway, and these should be published in 2025.

Treatment Guidelines

Referral Process

All cases of sarcoma or suspected sarcoma should be referred to one of the Sarcoma Multidisciplinary Meetings (MDM).

Biopsy Guidance

Biopsy of suspected sarcoma should be guided by the Sarcoma MDM team as this may have an effect on outcome

Treatment Oversight

Treatment of Sarcoma may be provided in non MDM centre under the guidance of the MDM

Surgical Standards

All Sarcoma surgery should occur at the two high volume Sarcoma Centres, and is based on grade and subtype of tumour.

Follow-up Care

All Sarcoma follow up should be guided be the Sarcoma MDM

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t surgery be done locally?

Multiple international research papers show a direct link between the outcome for Sarcoma patients and the volume of cases being carried out by the centre. This is true for all types of sarcoma including retroperitoneal.

Can my scans be done close to home?

Yes scans and x-rays can be done locally and reviewed by the Sarcoma MDM teams.

Can my patient be treated on a clinical trial?

There are clinical trials available for sarcoma patients and the treating teams will recommend if one is suitable. There will be more information on these on our Clinical Trials page.

Can patients have follow up close to home?

Yes it is safe to have follow up close to home, this should be guided by the Sarcoma MDM and if the follow up fails then the MDM can be contacted through the CNS teams.

A patient has come back with a new lump, what do I do?

If a patient with a history of sarcoma or radiation comes with a new lump they should be referred directly back the the Sarcoma MDM that initially treated them and the Sarcoma CNS contacted.