The Duke Sarcoma Center is recognized as a center of excellence for treating sarcomas in the Southeast and beyond. As a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, we offer expertise found only in the top cancer centers across the country.

Led by William Eward, MD, DVM, the Orthopaedic Oncology Division specializes in diagnosing and treating sarcomas. Our team has the expertise to identify the type of sarcoma a patient is experiencing accurately and offers the most advanced treatments available today. These include targeted high-dose radiation for soft tissue sarcomas or bone cancers, limb-sparing surgeries, and cutting-edge imaging technology to locate tumors and distinguish them from healthy tissue precisely, minimizing the need for amputation and offering a broader range of treatment options.

Our sarcoma specialists are nationally recognized for their expertise in diagnosing and treating sarcomas, a rare cancer that affects bones and soft tissues. We focus on preserving healthy tissue and bone, employing comprehensive limb-sparing techniques to avoid amputation, and maximizing the chances for a positive outcome.

At Duke, patients receive care from nationally recognized experts committed to their recovery. Our Orthopaedic Surgery program is consistently ranked among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

Our faculty are thought leaders in orthopaedics, pushing the boundaries of medical research to develop the best treatment options for our patients. In addition to their groundbreaking work in the research lab, our faculty members are dedicated to educating the next generation of surgeons, ensuring that the future of orthopaedic care is just as advanced.

Duke's sarcoma specialists are nationally recognized for their expertise in diagnosing and treating these rare cancers, representing just one percent of all adult cancer cases. Sarcomas are classified into two main types:

• Malignant bone tumors (osteosarcomas or bone sarcomas)
• Malignant tumors in soft tissues (such as fat, muscle, nerves, blood vessels, and joints) are known as soft tissue sarcomas.

Because there are over 50 types of sarcoma, identifying the type and determining the most appropriate treatment can be challenging. Receiving care at a medical center with Duke's level of expertise is crucial for effective treatment and recovery.

Our doctors and researchers are committed to understanding rare cancers like sarcoma from every angle. That's why we study sarcoma not only in humans but also in animal models. Dr. William Eward, an orthopaedic oncologist and small animal veterinarian, leads this groundbreaking research to understand how sarcomas behave in animals, which can offer valuable insights for human treatment.

Additionally, Dr. Benjamin Alman, Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, leads research on developmental processes that impact musculoskeletal health and disease. His lab aims to discover new therapeutic approaches for orthopaedic disorders and improve musculoskeletal healing. By using genetically modified mice to model human diseases, the Alman Lab has identified new drug therapies for musculoskeletal tumors and worked to improve outcomes in trauma to cartilage, skin, and bone.

Dr. Alman and his team have also discovered a type of cell surrounding blood vessels that may be a starting point for sarcoma. This discovery will further advance our understanding of this complex disease and inform future treatments.