Sarcoma Surgeon - William Tseng, MD

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Sarcoma Surgeon - William Tseng, MD

Treatment of soft tissue sarcoma, liposarcoma; surgery Dr. Tseng is a cancer surgeon with a focus on soft tissue sarcoma and a specific interest in liposarcoma.

Dr. Tseng maintains a busy referral practice providing care and surgical expertise to patients with this rare disease. He is based at the Keck Medical Center of the University of Southern California and integrates multidisciplinary care personalized to each individual patient. In addition, Dr. Tseng is also actively engaged in research and is working to develop immunotherapy as an effective treatm

ent option for this disease. He has published numerous articles in the medical literature on liposarcoma, discussing surgical management, current clinical trials, as well as translational studies on the potential for immunotherapy in this disease. Dr. Tseng is originally from Southern California. He obtained his undergraduate and medical degrees at Northwestern University under the Honors Program in Medical Education. He then completed residency in General Surgery at the University of California at San Francisco and fellowship in Surgical Oncology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. At M.D. Anderson, he studied soft tissue sarcoma and specifically, well differentiated / dedifferentiated liposarcoma. His background in immunology and immunotherapy come from research fellowships at Stanford University and M.D. Anderson. Dr. Tseng sees patients at:

USC Keck Hospital
(323) 865-1535

03/09/2026

When it comes to sarcoma, the best outcomes may require more than just surgery.
This is where multidisciplinary care becomes critical. 👇

For complex cancers like sarcoma, your case should be evaluated by a sarcoma specialist — and ideally discussed at a dedicated Sarcoma Tumor Board.
So what is a Tumor Board?

It’s a collaborative meeting where multiple specialists review your case together, including:

🔹 Surgical Oncology
🔹 Medical Oncology
🔹 Radiation Oncology
🔹 Pathology
🔹 Radiology
Each specialist brings their expertise to the table to create a treatment plan that is personalized specifically to you — not just based on a diagnosis, but based on your imaging, pathology, and prior treatments (if given), current symptoms, and overall health.

At established sarcoma centers, Sarcoma Tumor Board typically meets at least once a week to ensure cases are reviewed promptly and thoroughly.

This level of coordination matters. It ensures:

✔️ Accurate diagnosis
✔️ Thoughtful discussion of treatment options and sequencing
✔️ The right combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation when needed
✨ Action Plan:

If you’ve been diagnosed with sarcoma:

1️⃣ Schedule an appointment with a sarcoma specialist.
2️⃣ Ask: “Will my case be discussed at a Sarcoma Tumor Board?”
Advocating for multidisciplinary review can make a meaningful difference in your care.

03/06/2026

Biopsy Matters in Sarcoma

For sarcoma patients, a biopsy is not just a test. It establishes the diagnosis and importantly, the type of sarcoma, which then guides the treatment plan.
Biopsies are usually done with a needle, directed to a specific part of the tumor by ultrasound or a CT scan. This should be a core needle, to maximize the amount of tissue obtained and can involve several needle passes. This is an outpatient procedure, typically done by a radiologist.

The tissue samples are then evaluated by a pathologist. It is critical to have this done by a pathologist with training and experience in sarcoma. If this is not possible, a second opinion with a sarcoma pathologist should be strongly considered. Sometimes additional tests are done on the tissue samples.

Incisional biopsies in which a surgeon cuts a piece of the tumor to send to pathology is another option if the diagnosis is still not clear with a needle biopsy; however this is less common with image (ultrasound or CT)-guided techniques and sarcoma pathology expertise.

Action steps

If your mass is suspicious for sarcoma, request a biopsy.
If your diagnosis feels unclear, seek re-review of pathology by a sarcoma pathologist.
Send me a direct message to ask more questions or inquire about becoming a patient.

03/04/2026

When we’re evaluating a possible sarcoma, imaging is everything. 🩻

Here’s how it typically works:

🔹 Ultrasound is often the first step.
It helps us get a basic idea of what we’re looking at:
– Is it a cyst?
– Is it solid?
– Is it a fat-containing mass?

It’s a great starting point — but it’s not the final answer.

🔹 CT or MRI comes next for a more definitive evaluation — and these studies should always be done with contrast. Contrast helps us better define the tumor and understand its relationship to surrounding structures.
– MRI is typically used for masses in the extremities or trunk.
– CT is typically used for masses in the abdomen and pelvis.
High quality, detailed images are critical for surgical planning.

🔹 Depending on the specific type of sarcoma and its risk of spread, additional imaging may be needed, such as:

– A CT chest
– Or a PET scan
Every step is intentional. Every image helps guide the next decision.

02/27/2026

Barriers to Seeing a Sarcoma Specialist

Sarcoma patients often face an additional burden beyond the disease itself. Navigating referrals, insurance systems, and limited specialist access can feel exhausting and discouraging.

Because sarcoma is rare, most clinicians encounter it infrequently. This can delay referral to specialized care. Studies consistently show that outcomes are improved when sarcoma is managed by experienced a multidisciplinary team of doctors, all specialized in sarcoma.

You deserve expertise, not guesswork.

Action steps:

Ask directly whether your doctor is a sarcoma specialist and whether referral is appropriate. Advocacy matters.

Send me a direct message to ask more questions or inquire about becoming a patient.

02/25/2026

Why Sarcoma Is Often Diagnosed Late

Many sarcoma patients share a similar story. A lump was noticed months or even years earlier. It didn’t hurt. It seemed harmless. Reassurance came before answers.
Sarcomas often grow without pain and may be mistaken for benign masses. Delayed diagnosis is common and not a reflection of patient inaction. Unfortunately, delays can lead to tumor growth (in some cases, spread) and more complex treatment.
Earlier evaluation does not guarantee an easier journey, but it can preserve options.

Action steps:

If a mass continues to grow, returns after removal, or does not behave like a typical benign mass, request further evaluation or referral.

Send me a direct message to ask more questions or inquire about becoming a patient.

02/23/2026

Sarcoma Is Not One Disease

Many patients are told they have “sarcoma” without further explanation, which can feel frightening and vague. You may be left wondering what it means for your treatment, your life, your future.

Sarcoma is not one disease. There are more than 70 distinct types, each with different behavior and treatment needs. Some grow slowly. Others are aggressive. Some respond well to surgery alone, while others require additional therapies.
This is why personalized care matters so deeply in sarcoma. Correctly identifying the sarcoma type guides everything that comes next.

Action steps:

Ask what specific sarcoma type you have and whether your pathology has been reviewed by a sarcoma-experienced pathologist. Understanding your exact diagnosis empowers better decisions.

Send me a direct message to ask more questions or inquire about becoming a patient.

02/21/2026

What Is Sarcoma?

If you’ve been told you have sarcoma, or you’re worried you might, you may feel overwhelmed, confused, and frightened. Many patients describe feeling blindsided by a diagnosis they had never heard of before, often after being reassured previously that “it’s probably nothing serious.”

Sarcoma is a rare cancer that arises from connective tissues such as muscle, fat, nerves, blood vessels, and other supportive structures. Unlike more common cancers that begin in organs like the lung or colon, sarcomas can develop almost anywhere in the body. Because they are uncommon and diverse, they are frequently missed or misdiagnosed early on.

This lack of awareness is not your fault. Sarcoma often grows silently and early on, may not cause symptoms. Understanding what sarcoma is, and how it differs from other cancers, is an important first step toward regaining a sense of control.
Action steps:

If you have a mass that is growing, deep, firm, or larger than expected, ask whether sarcoma has been considered. Request imaging and referral to a specialist when appropriate. Early expertise can influence long-term outcomes.

Send me a direct message to ask more questions or inquire about becoming a patient.

06/09/2022

Well, just like that it’s been eight years and I turned in my badge and keys this afternoon. And with that ends this chapter of my career as a . There was no graduation (but I passed by one recently…), instead last week a heartwarming farewell lunch from the people closest to me - the ones that really cared. There were definite ups and definite downs. But in the end, I am thankful for the wonderful colleagues and friends I made and most of all, thankful for the trust of so many patients near and far. Onto the next chapter, a beginning as I continue to well, against

04/28/2022

(Part 2 of 2) complete resection of Marco’s which was actually not involving any structures including the (IVC)… 🤔 (white is a sponge subsequently removed)

02/21/2022

As used to diagnosing and helping others, Mirella was terrified when she became a patient herself with the diagnosis of … (Part 1 of 2)

Address

1500 East Duarte Road
Duarte, CA
91010

Telephone

+18008264673

Website

https://www.cityofhope.org/william-wei-lin-tseng

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