Vallerie “Val” Perrault, 32, sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma, Wethersfield, CT, with Dr. Candace Haddox, Physician, Sarcomas, Dana-Farber

● Just days before Christmas last year, Val was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive
form of sarcoma called sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma.
● After an emergency room visit due to extreme shortness of breath, it was discovered
that her entire left lung cavity was filled with fluid. Subsequent CT scans revealed a
tumor and a biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of sarcoma. Sarcomas are a group of
cancers that begin in the bones and in the soft tissues of the body.
● Val underwent two rounds of chemotherapy; however, the cancer did not respond to
it. Her treatment team recommended a newer form of cancer therapy known as
immunotherapy. Immunotherapy enables the body’s own immune system to
recognize and destroy cancer cells. This therapy has helped to keep Val’s cancer
stable.
● Val was referred to Dana-Farber due to the rarity of her cancer.
● Val is currently disabled but previously was a yoga teacher, photographer and writer.
Sarcoma facts
● Sarcoma is a rare cancer that affects the connective tissue in the body. These tumors
are divided into tumors of the bone or soft tissue.
● According to the American Cancer Society, there will be an estimated 13,190 new
soft tissue sarcomas will be diagnosed in the United States for 2022.
● According to the National Foundation for Cancer Research, sarcoma is a rare cancer,
accounting for about 1% of adult cancers.
● They are relatively more common among children. Between 1,500 and 1,700
children are diagnosed with a bone or soft tissue sarcoma in the U.S. each year. This
makes up about 15% of cancers in children under the age of 20.
● There are 50 different types of soft tissue sarcomas, which can develop in many
different locations and tissues within the body.
● Sarcoma cancer cells do not respond to regular cell growth, division and death
signals like healthy cells do. They also don’t organize normally. Instead, they grow

into a tumor, which may invade surrounding layers of tissue and possibly spread to
other organs.
● About 50-60% of sarcomas occur in the arms or legs, and other common areas
include in the head and neck area, the internal organs or the back of the abdominal
cavity (retroperitoneum).

Dr. Candace Haddox
● Dr. Haddox is a medical oncologist focused on the treatment of soft tissue and bone
sarcomas. She has a longstanding interest in sarcomas and is passionate about
identifying and developing novel, effective therapies for these diseases.
● She serves as the sarcoma liaison to the Center for Cancer Therapeutic Innovation
(CCTI) which is Dana-Farber’s early phase clinical trial group.