Orthopedic cancer care deals with finding, diagnosing and treating tumors and growths in bones and soft tissues.
Our doctors treat a wide variety of orthopedic cancers including multiple myeloma, osteosarcoma and many other types of bone and soft tissue tumors.
Orthopedic cancer care experts may also help treat patients with related cancers like breast cancer, prostate cancer or lung cancer.
After a diagnosis is made, a team of specialists is assembled to help get rid of the cancer. This team may include oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and surgeons.
Specialists in Orthopedic oncology at Marshfield Clinic are fellowship trained, and include members of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society.
Orthopedic Oncology specialists evaluate and care for patients of all ages, including the very young and very old.
Among the conditions we treat:
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Bone tumors
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Chondrosarcoma
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Ewing's Sarcoma
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Liposarcoma
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Osteosarcoma
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Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Orthopedic oncologists also see patients with pathologic fractures and impending pathologic fractures from metastatic carcinoma (such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, kidney cancer, thyroid cancer, lung cancer, malignant melanoma and others).
Treatments
Orthopedic Oncology offers treatment, including percutaneous biopsy, radiofrequency ablation, bone grafting, prosthetic, allo-prosthetic, and mega-prosthetic replacement and revision, and other forms of limb salvage surgery.
Treatment may include sequential imaging, biopsy, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of these modalities, all provided by a team of specialists.
Orthopedic oncologists treat tumors of the extremities and pelvis, including those that may be located in bone or soft tissue.
Depending upon the condition, treatment may include a team approach, including care and analysis provided by other specialists such as medical oncologists, pediatric oncologists, radiation therapists, surgical pathologists, diagnostic and interventional radiologists, and other surgical sub-specialists including vascular and plastic surgeons.
Imaging studies
Imaging studies utilized often include plain X-rays, although other imaging studies may be required; including CT scans, MRI scans, bone scans, and PET scans. Some biopsies may be done in the office, while others may be in an operating room with the aid of general or spinal anesthesia, and may include the imaging guidance of ultrasound, fluoroscopy, or CT scanning.
Referrals may be from other Orthopedic surgeons, oncologists, internal medicine physicians, family practice doctors, pediatricians, and rheumatologists.
If outside studies or records have been performed at other hospitals or centers, such as the actual imaging studies, imaging reports, operative reports, pathology reports, and pathology slides, it is preferable for the patient or their family to hand carry these studies to their appointment, to be certain that all is in order for an efficient and timely evaluation of the condition of concern.
If you have a condition that may need treatment by an Orthopedic oncologist, Marshfield Clinic can help. We treat the whole person, not just the disease.
