Exactly Where I Needed to Be

Tom Cauffield remembers the day he first discovered a lump in his right shoulder. Having had a previous sarcoma (malignant bone or soft tissue tumor), Tom’s Cleveland Clinic Primary Care Physician, Elina Levkoff, MD, referred him to the Sarcoma Program at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital.

The Sarcoma Program is the only center with expertise in orthopaedic oncology in Broward County, and one of only three centers between Miami and Orlando.

A resident of Jupiter, Florida at the time, Tom’s round-trip drive to Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital was approximately 150 miles. Almost immediately, Tom knew the travel time was well worth it.

“I was exactly where I needed to be.”  Tom said. “The entire team was supportive and caring.  My care was seamless.  The doctors worked together so well, sharing all aspects of my cancer treatment with every player on the team.”

Sarcoma Program offers rare expertise

Led by Jorge Manrique-Succar, MD, Orthopaedic Oncologist, the Sarcoma Program provided Tom with access to an expert multidisciplinary team that also includes plastic surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, an oncology nurse practitioner, and dedicated and compassionate support staff.

“We care for patients with the most complex and challenging tumors,” says Dr. Manrique-Succar. “Our pathologists are highly skilled in identifying more than 100 subtypes of sarcoma. This rare expertise enables us to give precise, accurate diagnoses that inform our treatment plans.”

Dr. Manrique-Succar and his team also participate in weekly Sarcoma Board meetings with specialists from throughout the Cleveland Clinic Enterprise to share their collective experience and knowledge as they discuss their patients’ conditions and treatment.

“We are united in our goal to provide personalized treatment that will lead to the best possible outcome for every patient,” says Dr. Manrique-Succar.

Five years out from his treatment at Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital, Tom is extremely pleased with the outcome. Dr. Manrique was able to preserve Tom’s deltoid muscle while also removing the entire tumor with negative margins.

“I am close to where I was prior to the surgery and doing amazingly well,” Tom says. “I have little to no noticeable difference between my left and right upper body strength and mobility.”

Christopher Fleming, MD, Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital Radiation Oncologist, oversaw Tom's 30 radiation therapy visits.  “Dr. Fleming was wonderful,” says Tom. “He took the time to explain my treatment and answered every question I had.” 

Tom will continue long-term follow-up care to help him stay cancer-free.  Although he has moved to North Carolina, he wishes to maintain his status as a Cleveland Clinic patient.

“If I need medical care, I have complete trust in Cleveland Clinic,” he says.