Cedars-Sinai Expands Sarcoma Program With Pasadena-Affiliated Care

Cedars-Sinai Cancer has expanded its Sarcoma Program with the appointment of James Hu, MD, as associate director, a move that strengthens specialty cancer care available to Pasadena-area patients through Huntington Cancer Center, the hospital’s local affiliate.

Hu, a hematologist-oncologist with military and academic experience, will provide direct patient care in Pasadena while leading research and teaching initiatives across Cedars-Sinai Cancer. The Sarcoma Program—designed to support patients from infancy through adulthood—offers expertise for rare cancers that affect bones, soft tissues, muscle and fat.

“Cedars-Sinai Cancer is uniquely placed to offer expert specialty care to patients of all ages with these complex cancers,” said Leo Mascarenhas, MD, director of the Adult and Pediatric Sarcoma Program and the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Cedars-Sinai Cancer. “We are one of just three centers in California providing both pediatric and adult sarcoma care.”

“Sarcoma is relatively rare and can come in many forms,” Hu said. “A general oncologist might see only a handful of cases over a decades-long career. As a sarcoma specialist, it is so satisfying to work with these patients and to have the experience and expertise to deliver the care they need. They are so grateful that someone understands what they are dealing with.”

Hu earned his medical degree at Uniformed Services University. He completed his residency training in internal medicine at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, and his fellowship in hematology and oncology at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington. He also served as military commander of the 325th Combat Support Hospital in Independence, Missouri.

“As an oncologist in the military, you basically see everything,” Hu said. “You see a lot of young patients, and sarcoma is more prevalent in the young population, so we saw a fair amount of sarcoma. After success in building sarcoma programs at other institutions, I was excited for the opportunity to help expand the program at Cedars-Sinai.”

In addition to Hu and Mascarenhas, a leading pediatric hematologist-oncologist and sarcoma expert, the program includes Joseph Schwab, MD, director of Spine Oncology in the
Department of Orthopaedics and a specialist in managing sarcomas of the spine. The growing program also includes Earl Brien, MD, surgical director of the Sarcoma Bone Tumor Program.

The program offers multidisciplinary care with the latest diagnostic techniques, including liquid biopsy and the identification of genetic and molecular abnormalities in tumor tissues that can help guide treatment decisions.

“Sarcomas have interesting genetics and our cancer predisposition program is investigating those that might have inherited risk,” Mascarenhas said. “We have expertise in genetic testing and counseling, and also are investigating factors that contribute to risk of developing sarcoma in childhood through adolescence, young adulthood and adulthood.”

Cedars-Sinai sarcoma patients also have access to a variety of clinical trials, including cooperative national studies and investigator-initiated trials unique to Cedars-Sinai, Mascarenhas said.

“The growth of our Sarcoma Program, and the growth of Cedars-Sinai Cancer as a whole, reflects our institution’s commitment to caring for the patients in our community and beyond,” said Robert Figlin, MD, interim director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer. “As patients’ need for care expands, so will the care that we offer.”