E17   |  10 min   |   Latest   |  Publication Link

• Podcast based on: Schärer, M.; Heesen, P.; Studer, G.; Vogel, B.; Fuchs, B. Organizing Care Matters: Fragmented Pathways Double Early Local Recurrence Risk in Sarcoma. Cancers 2026, 18, 387. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18030387
  
  Type: Article  |  Publication date: 27 January 2026
  
  
  
  


• Summary: Sarcomas are rare malignancies in which outcomes strongly depend on early management according to established guidelines in specialized centers. Nevertheless, many patients receive initial treatment outside structured sarcoma care pathways, where diagnostic and surgical standards are often not fully met. In this study, we analyzed patients with local recurrence within the Swiss Sarcoma Network to assess how the initial care pathway influences the risk of early recurrence. We found that fragmented initial management was independently associated with a higher risk of early local recurrence, mainly due to unplanned surgery and incomplete tumor removal. This increased risk was not compensated for by adjuvant treatments. Our findings highlight the importance of early referral and coordinated, center-based care to improve outcomes in patients with musculoskeletal sarcoma.
  
  
  
  


• Keywords: sarcoma; local recurrence; care pathway; fragmented care; unplanned “whoops” excision; surgical margins; multidisciplinary care; real-world data

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