Sarcoma Program

Sarcoma is the general term for a broad group of cancers that begin either in the bones or in the soft (connective) tissues. Common types of pediatric and adolescent sarcoma include osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma (or RMS), among many others.

Sarcomas are rare in children, but do account for approximately 15% of cancer diagnoses in patients under 20 years of age. Children with sarcoma typically require chemotherapy plus some combination of radiation therapy and/or surgery. Although classified together as a group, each type of sarcoma responds to different modes of therapy. It is therefore essential that children receive care at high volume centers with experience and expertise managing all different types of pediatric sarcoma.

We know this is a stressful time for families, so the Sarcoma team does everything possible to see new patients quickly – usually within one week. It is often possible for patients to see members of the sarcoma team from multiple specialties on the same day, or even during the same office visit.

When you call to make an appointment, you will speak with an advanced practice nurse who will begin the coordination of care between oncology, surgery and other services. The initial consultation appointment can be scheduled by calling 312.227.4769. The nurse practitioner will also help to arrange rapid review of any other studies or procedures already performed at another institution, such as CT scans, MRIs, biopsy results, etc.

After your visit, members of the sarcoma team from all different specialties will meet to discuss the findings about your child and to formulate a group recommendation. This recommendation is always created and implemented with close collaboration from the patient and their family.

In addition to our medical specialists, the comprehensive program also includes social work, child life, psychology, and art and music therapy services to help make your child’s care as comfortable as possible.

Another unique feature of the care at Lurie Children’s is the option of fertility preservation. Today, while treatments for cancer and other diseases continue to improve, some of those treatments can also impact future fertility and hormone function for patients. The Fertility and Hormone Preservation and Restoration Program is dedicated to working with families to guide them in deciding if fertility preservation is appropriate, and if so, which option is best for their child or adolescent. Lurie Children’s is the only hospital in Illinois to offer this service for pediatric patients.

As a team, we are committed to working with families to ensure the best care possible for their children. Patients come to us from all over the country and the world for second opinions. For patients outside of the Chicago area, we are happy to arrange for initial phone consultation and remote review of studies and results.

In many cases, when patients come to us for a second opinion, we can create a treatment plan that allows them to receive the majority of their care closer to home. For instance, specialized services such as surgery for tumor resection or fertility preservation are performed at Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago while chemotherapy is administered closer to home.

The sarcoma treatment team includes a variety of specialists from both Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Northwestern Memorial Hospital. This team meets regularly to review cases and communicates constantly to ensure that each patient’s care is timely and well-coordinated.

Oncology

• Dave Walterhouse, MD
• Jennifer Reichek, MD
• Amy Walz, MD
• Oncology Faculty

Pediatric Surgical Oncology

• Timothy Lautz, MD
• Pediatric Surgery Faculty

Orthopedic Oncology

• Terrance Peabody, MD
• Samer Attar, MD
• Orthopedic Oncology Faculty

Radiation Oncology

• John Kalapurakal, MD
• Radiation Oncology Faculty

Pathology

• Pauline Chou, MD
• Pathology Faculty

Medical Imaging/Interventional Radiology

• Jonathan Samet, MD
• Radiology Faculty

Otorhinolaryngology

• Jeff Rastatter, MD
• Douglas Johnston, MD
• John Maddalozzo, MD, FACS, FAAP
• Otorhinolaryngology Faculty

Neurosurgery

• Tord Alden, MD
• Neurology Faculty

Fertility Preservation

• Erin Rowell, MD
• Timothy Lautz, MD

The Advanced Practice Nursing Team

• Barbara Lockart, DNP, APN/CNP-AC & PC, CPON
• Alexis Baby, APRN-NP