Cancer Center Opens First Clinic in Region to Treat Diseases of the Skin, Bones, Soft Tissue

Patients with musculoskeletal issues receive expert care in Baton Rouge

(Baton Rouge, La.) Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center announced today the opening of a new clinic focused exclusively on treating patients with tumors of the soft tissue, muscles, and bones. The clinic is the first of its kind in Louisiana. Among the disorders treated at the Musculoskeletal Oncology Clinic are soft tissue, bony, and retroperitoneal sarcomas – a rare group of cancers that originate in the bones and/or in the connective tissues of the body. The Musculoskeletal Clinic is located on the first floor of Mary Bird Perkins – Our Lady of the Lake Cancer Center, 4950 Essen Lane. Sarcoma and other musculoskeletal disorders can be complicated to treat, but the Cancer Center’s multidisciplinary sarcoma treatment team carefully studies each patient’s case and develops individualized plans of care. The team includes a surgical oncologist, an orthopedic oncologist, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, nurses, and social workers. Leading this clinic are local sarcoma experts Dr. John Lyons, a surgical oncologist who trained Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and Dr. Shaun Accardo, an orthopedic oncologist who trained Moffit Cancer Center. Combining their unique skills, Drs. Accardo and Lyons head the team of physicians and allied health professionals in a mission to combat sarcoma and other diseases of the bones and soft tissue. “There are very few centers around the country that offer a multidisciplinary clinic like this one,” said Dr. Lyons, surgical oncologist. “Having this resource here in Baton Rouge will enable patients to stay local for their treatment while receiving excellent care comparable to that received at the biggest cancer centers in the country. Our team and this clinic focus not only on ensuring the best outcome for patients with these complex disorders but also on doing the utmost to maintain their quality of life.” “There are more than 80 different subtypes of soft tissue sarcoma or sarcoma-like growths,” said Dr. Accardo, orthopedic surgeon and musculoskeletal oncologist at the Cancer Center.  “Identifying tumor type and making an accurate diagnosis is the first essential step in management. These complex and rare tumors often require combination treatment from multiple different medical specialties, so having multiple experts housed in one location enables us to more efficiently offer patients the most appropriate and personalized treatment plan.” Dr. Accardo is one of only two orthopedic oncologists in the state and one of just a few physicians in the region specializing in treating these types of diseases. Physicians may refer patients, or patients can schedule appointments by calling (225)769-5656. For more information on this clinic and multidisciplinary care team specific to sarcomas, visit www.marybirdlake.org/sarcoma. About Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center As a regional destination for cancer care, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center offers the most advance technology and services provided by a dedicated team of nationally-recognized oncology experts. The Cancer Center provides best-practice, comprehensive care at every stage of the cancer journey, including disease site-specific multidisciplinary care teams, a robust clinical research program, extensive supportive care services and is the only facility in the Gulf South with the revolutionary Leksell Gamma Knife®Icon™. As a nonprofit organization, donor generosity is essential to sustaining the mission of improving survivorship and lessening the burden of cancer for so many throughout Southeast Louisiana and beyond. For more information on the Cancer Center, and how you can become involved, please visit marybirdlake.org.