Orthopedic Oncology

Some common malignant tumors/conditions include:

 

• Renal cell carcinoma
• Fibrosarcoma
• Chondrosarcoma
• Other malignant and soft tissue tumors
• Other bone tumors
• Metastatic disease to bone

 

A bone tumor is a spontaneous growth that starts anywhere in bone. It starts at a small group of cells that escape normal control mechanisms and grow. Eventually it destroys the surrounding normal bone and may be so large that it breaks through the confines at the bone and it is then palpable as a nodule or mass.

Both grow locally and should not be inside the bone or muscle. Malignant tumors are usually more aggressive, grow faster and tend to metastatize (spread to other parts of the body) and they may spread to the lungs (most common). Benign tumors tend to grow slower and they also destroy the normal bone or muscle but do not metastasize. Benign tumors also tend not to recur as often as malignant tumors after surgical removal.

 

This is a growth (multiplications) of abnormal cells, usually within muscle or fat tissue. It later forms a nodule, which becomes larger and is essentially palpable with your fingers. Again, this may be benign or malignant.

 

We may surgically excise them (cut them out). Some tumors will be treated with radiation and/or chemotherapy followed by an operation. Also surgical removal of the tumor especially in the bone, the portion of bone or joint that has been removed must be replaced. This is done by way of a dorsal bone transplant or a metal prosthesis.

We also sometimes use cryotherapy in the treatment plan.

After removal of the tumor and a layer of the normal tissue, a hole (defect) is left behind and sometimes it is not possible to just pull the skin edges together because the defect is too big. A muscle or skin from a nearby location is then transferred to fill the gap. This procedure enhances healing.

Osteomyelitis is a condition where bacteriae locate themselves in a bone and start to multiply bone. Bacteriae gain access to bone via the blood stream. These bacteriae then move along with the blood stream to bone and start a new infection. Occasionally they travel from the hair follicles in your skin to the deeper bone after an operation. Open fractures where the bone fragments protrude through the skin from inside out also pick up bacteria from your clothes or soil.

Antibiotics are used to treat joint infections. The joint is washed with sterile water but sometimes your artificial joint must be removed, only to be replaced later.

Antibiotics are used to treat joint infections. The joint is washed with sterile water but sometimes your artificial joint must be removed, only to be replaced later.

We know this is a stressful time, so we strive to let you know within the week. However, it can take anywhere from 10 to 14 days to receive the results.

We aim to schedule the surgery within a week after receiving your biopsy results.  If your cancer requires medical oncology treatment or radiation prior to surgery you will be seen within the week by those specialties, as well.

The incision usually heals within two weeks.

That depends on the procedure and a number of other factors. Recovery usually takes between 6 and 12 weeks.

If you want to learn more about bone tumors, we encourage you to visit bonetumor.org or the National Cancer Institute website. Both have a lot of helpful information, including a detailed list of all types of tumors.