Beyond the sarcoma center: establishing the Sarcoma HASM network-a Hub and Spoke Model network for global integrated and precision care

Abstract

The landscape of sarcoma treatment has evolved significantly, transitioning from amputations to limb-sparing surgeries, underpinned by advancements in multidisciplinary strategies. The establishment of specialized sarcoma centers has been pivotal, though challenges in accessibility and expertise persist. This manuscript proposes the Sarcoma Hub and Spoke Model (HASM) network to address these issues, enhancing coordination and expanding access to specialized care. The HASM network centralizes complex case management at hubs while peripheral spokes manage routine diagnostics and treatments, optimizing resource use and ensuring patient-centered care. Integration with digital interoperable platforms facilitates real-time/real-world data exchange, supports multidisciplinary team meetings, and enables advanced predictive analytics such as Sarcoma Digital Twins and causal machine learning for personalized treatment. The Sarcoma Care Data Warehouse further enhances this model by aggregating comprehensive patient data, supporting quality assessment and continuous improvement. This innovative approach aims to set a new standard for sarcoma care, leveraging technology and collaborative expertise to improve outcomes globally.

Keywords: Hub and Spoke Model (HASM); Sarcoma Digital Twins; digital interoperable platforms; multidisciplinary; predictive analytics; quality assessment; sarcoma.