| The British Sarcoma
Group is the professional association of the specialist clinicians,
nurses and supporting professionals who treat patients with sarcoma in
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The BSG reaches out to colleagues in Ireland, Europe, the USA and Australia through its members' relationships with individuals and institutions, through collaborative research projects, and international conferences. All clinicians treating sarcoma in the UK are welcomed as members of the British Sarcoma Group. |
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| TREATING SARCOMA The organisation of sarcoma treatment in the four countries of the UK varies according to the priorities established by the various administrations. ADULT SARCOMA In England and Wales the "Improving Outcomes Guidance" (IOG) from the NHS regulator NICE provides the underlying principles for the organisation of sarcoma services, even though the final implementation of the IOG is not yet in place (February 2010). Links to treatment centres (where they have a website) are on our Links page. In Scotland the Scottish Sarcoma Network is one of the national managed cancer treatment networks, and brings together the five sarcoma treatment centres. Northern Ireland's population means that the incidence of sarcoma is so low that the specialist clinicians are all in Belfast. Bone sarcomas are treated at one of five centres in England under NHS National Commissioning, and according to the protocols of the Scottish Sarcoma Network. Soft tissue sarcomas are treated more widely. Some sarcomas are only diagnosed following a procedure for another suspected disease and treating clinicians should refer to the local specialist centre under local Cancer Network arrangements. PAEDIATRIC AND TEENAGE SARCOMA Sarcoma in children will be treated according to the protocols of the Children Cancer and Leukaemia Group whose centres across the UK specialise in children's cancers. Teenage sarcoma is also treated in specailist units, where these are available, and usually by the same surgeons and oncologists who treat children and adults. Surgery for bone sarcomas is usually undertaken in one of the five centres indicated above but other treatments may be in a paediatric or teenage unit. |