Sarcoma Alliance

10/16/2026

Patti Sonntag was a student in New York City when 9/11 happened. Rushing to help out, she was exposed to the wreckage, and like many others, has developed cancer, in her case retroperitoneal Liposarcoma. She discusses her experiences with health issues, and mentions the World Trade Center Health Program and the Sept. 11 Victim Compensation Fund. Thank you, Patti, for sharing your story and raising awareness of sarcomas in 9/11 survivors.

Patti Sonntag assisted medical teams and emergency workers at Ground Zero during 9/11

10/15/2026

Dr. Herbert Loong discusses the frustrating observation that all too often, promising results of Phase 2 studies for leiomyosarcoma aren't confirmed in randomized Phase 3 studies.

Herbert Loong: Why Do So Many ‘Promising’ Phase II Results in Leiomyosarcoma Fail Once They’re Randomized? / cancer, Herbert Loong, leiomyosarcoma, OncoDaily,

10/14/2026

This could be another Ewing sarcoma cancer cluster, this time in a small town in New York. Like the one posted yesterday, there were six cases in a relatively few years.

According to the American Cancer Society, only around 250 children are diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma in the United States each year.

10/13/2026

We've posted before about potential "cancer clusters" of sarcomas, including this one in a California town where a number of Ewing sarcoma cases have occurred. Researchers are looking at both potential contamination and also overal cancer incidence. https://www.medicaldaily.com/ladera-ranch-ewing-sarcoma-soil-water-testing-cancer-review-47889

Soil and water testing began in Ladera Ranch as California reviews cancer data after reported Ewing sarcoma cases. What parents should know.

10/12/2026

In a very unusual case of undifferentiated sarcoma, identical twin girls were both born with this cancer. By analyzing scans and ultimately genetics, researchers found that it originated in one of the girls and spread to the other through the placenta.

A facial mass detected before birth prompted the early delivery of identical twin sisters.

10/11/2026

The FDA has granted orphan drug designation to 3′UTRMYCN M1-14 (UTRxMYCN M1-14), an inhibitor of the MYCN gene, for the treatment of patients with soft tissue sarcoma, as well as pediatric disease designation for rhabdomyosarcoma. These designations provide benefits for developing drugs for rare diseases.

UTRxMYCN M1-14 received orphan drug status for soft tissue sarcoma and rare pediatric disease designation for rhabdomyosarcoma.

10/10/2026

Although rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is considered a childhood cancer, it does occur in adolescents and young adults (AYA). Dr. Andrea Ferrari discusses the types of RMS that are diagnosed in AYA, and possible reasons why there is still an "AYA gap" in outcomes compared to better outcomes in children.

Andrea Ferrari: The Rhabdomyosarcoma Paradox - Better Treatment, Persistent Survival Gaps / Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma,

10/09/2026

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has issued its first clinical practice guideline for pediatric bone cancer, this one focusing on Ewing sarcoma and similar round cell sarcomas (often called the Ewing family of sarcomas). The NCCN Guidelines can be downloaded for free, but registration is required first. National Comprehensive Cancer Network https://www.nccn.org/home/news/newsdetails?NewsId=5658

10/08/2026

A presentation by Dr. Thomas DeLaney discusses how advances in treatment have reduced amputations for soft tissue sarcoma in the limbs, from about 50 percent in the 1970s to about 5 percent now.

In the 1970s, over 50% of extremity soft tissue sarcomas were treated by amputation.

10/07/2026

In her teens, Danielle McLaughlin was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in her foot, and treatment included a below-the-knee amputation. She is now director of patient access and support services at the same place she was treated! Thank you for sharing your story, Danielle; you are an inspiration!

Diagnosed with cancer as a teenager, Danielle McLaughlin now helps expand access to care and supportive services for patients facing similar journeys.