Soft Tissue Sarcoma Surgery Boise: Expert Multidisciplinary Care

Soft tissue sarcomas are a rare and complex group of tumors that arise in the body’s connective tissues, including muscle, fat, blood vessels, and deep or superficial skin tissues. Because these tumors behave differently than more common cancers, they require the highly specialized expertise of a fellowship-trained Surgical Oncologist. Dr. Stockton provides definitive, expert surgical care for adult soft tissue sarcomas at Saint Alphonsus, prioritizing complete tumor eradication while maximizing physical function.

Comprehensive Diagnostic Workup

The initial approach to a suspected sarcoma is critical. Inappropriate initial biopsies can complicate future surgeries and limb preservation. Dr. Stockton directly evaluates patients with suspicious masses to orchestrate the appropriate clinical workup, ensuring precise, image-guided core needle biopsies are performed prior to any surgical intervention to secure an accurate diagnosis.

Areas of Surgical Focus

Dr. Stockton surgically treats soft tissue sarcomas across several distinct anatomical regions, addressing both deep tissue and complex cutaneous (surface-level) sarcomas, such as Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP) and angiosarcomas:

  • Extremity Sarcomas: Tumors located in the tissues of the arms and legs. The absolute goal is complete removal with clear margins while prioritizing limb preservation and maintaining function.
  • Truncal & Cutaneous Sarcomas: Tumors arising in the tissues of the chest wall, abdominal wall, back, or complex skin levels.
  • Retroperitoneal Sarcomas: Complex tumors that develop deep within the back of the abdominal cavity. These require highly meticulous surgical planning due to their proximity to vital organs and major blood vessels.

Note on Bone Involvement: Dr. Stockton specializes strictly in the soft tissue manifestations of sarcoma. If clinical imaging indicates that a tumor has invaded the bone, she assists in coordinating care with a specialized Orthopedic Oncologist to ensure the appropriate level of skeletal care.

Saint Alphonsus Tumor Board & Intraoperative Collaboration

Achieving the best possible outcome for a sarcoma patient requires a highly coordinated, team-based approach. All sarcoma cases are presented and reviewed at the Saint Alphonsus Multidisciplinary Tumor Board to ensure surgical plans are seamlessly integrated with radiation oncology (for neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapies) and medical oncology.

Because these tumors can grow large and encroach upon surrounding structures, achieving clear margins often requires the removal of adjacent tissue. To accomplish this safely and restore function, Dr. Stockton acts as the surgical quarterback, coordinating directly in the operating room with other subspecialists, including:

  • Plastic Surgery for complex wound closures, local tissue flaps, and skin grafts to ensure optimal healing and functional restoration.
  • Urologists for tumors involving the kidneys, bladder, or ureters.
  • Gynecologic Oncologists for tumors involving the female reproductive organs.
  • Vascular Surgeons for tumors involving major blood vessels.

Consultations & Referrals

Sarcoma surgery can be daunting, but consultations involve a detailed review of all imaging and pathology, ensuring patients leave with a straightforward understanding of their surgical options and the broader treatment sequence. Whether you are a patient seeking a specialist or a provider referring a suspected sarcoma, contact our Boise or Nampa clinics at (208) 302-2300.