As director of the Duke Sarcoma Center and professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. Brian E. Brigman, MD, PhD, has dedicated his career to improving outcomes for patients with one of the rarest and most complex forms of cancer: sarcoma.
I was drawn to sarcoma care because I believed I could make the biggest difference. Saving lives and forming lifelong bonds with patients is both humbling and profoundly rewarding.
Dr. Brigman leads a team at Duke that is pioneering new frontiers in sarcoma treatment—from first-in-human clinical trials to 3D-printed pelvic implants and fluorescent-guided surgery. A recent breakthrough: a multi-institutional study led by Duke researchers demonstrated a 15% survival improvement in select patients with soft tissue sarcoma treated with immunotherapy (Lancet, Nov. 2024).
“We treat patients of all ages and tackle tumors in nearly every part of the body. It’s challenging, creative work—and never boring.”
Dr. Brigman emphasizes that sarcoma care requires true specialization. Outcomes are significantly better when patients are treated at dedicated centers, such as Duke, where a multidisciplinary team meets weekly to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's specific needs.
“Our strength is in our collaboration. Every patient benefits from the collective expertise of surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and more—all working together to deliver the best possible care.”
As Sarcoma Awareness Month reminds us of the importance of early diagnosis and expert treatment, Dr. Brigman and the Duke Sarcoma Center continue to lead with innovation, compassion, and a relentless drive to improve lives.