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Bone Cancer Treatments

We treat diseases that affect the bones and musculoskeletal system

Bone and musculoskeletal conditions

Cancerous and non-cancerous diseases can cause tumors or growths within the bones and musculoskeletal system. We treat many of these conditions, including:

  • Benign bone tumors
  • Joint lesions
  • Malignant bone tumors
  • Soft tissue sarcomas

Our orthopedic oncologists will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your condition, its stage, and your health needs.

Bone and musculoskeletal cancer treatments

We will customize a treatment plan based on the type of disease you have, your medical history, and preferences. Treatment options may include chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery.

In the past, amputation was the only available surgery to treat bone and musculoskeletal cancer. Today, we offer limb sparing surgery. This surgery allows the affected limb to function after treatment with the help of a prosthesis.

More than 90 percent of patients with osteosarcoma – bone cancer – in a limb are treated with limb sparing surgery. However, this surgery can be complex depending on the size and location of the tumor. People with advanced cancer or those at risk for recurrence may need amputation.

After surgery, you’ll need physical therapy to recover limb function with your new prosthesis. Learning to use your new limb – or adapting after losing one -- will take time. Many patients need a year or longer to complete physical therapy.

  • Benign bone tumors

    These tumors are non-cancerous and don’t spread to other areas of the body unless they become malignant (cancerous). However, some benign tumors can destroy bones over time and may need to be removed with surgery. These tumors can include:

    • Aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC)
    • Chondroblastoma
    • Chondromyxoid fibroma (CMF)
    • Enchondroma
    • Fibrous dysplasia
    • Giant cell tumor
    • Osteoblastoma
    • Osteochondroma
    • Osteoid osteoma
    • Unicameral bone cyst (UBC)

    A benign bone tumor may not require treatment unless it interferes with the function or movement of the affected bone. Typically, we’ll check up on your tumor with X-ray tests to see if it is changing in size and ensure it does not spread or become malignant.

  • Malignant bone tumors

    Malignant (cancerous) tumors are cancerous masses. The earlier they are treated, the better the chances of successful treatment. Most people who have bone or musculoskeletal cancer require surgery to treat the disease.

    Types of malignant bone tumors include:

    • Osteosarcoma
    • Chondrosarcoma
    • Ewing's sarcoma
    • Multiple Myeloma
    • Metastatic Carcinoma

    Our goal in surgery is to remove as much diseased bone as possible to avoid amputation and restore the function and appearance of the affected area.

  • Joint lesions

    Joint lesions grow in or around the cartilage capsules of joints such as the wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, or foot. They form when the cartilage covering these joints is torn or fractured, and often are caused by sports injuries. As these lesions press against joints, they cause pain during movement. This pain subsides when the joint is at rest.

    Types of joint lesions include:

    • Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS)
    • Synovial chondromatosis
    • Tenosynovial giant cell lesions

    Treating joint lesions requires surgery to remove the lesion.

  • Soft tissue sarcomas

    Sarcomas are tumors that most often grow in the body’s soft tissue, such as muscles, fat, blood vessels, nerves, and tendons. They can be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous), or display symptoms of both (intermediate). Sarcomas cause pain in the affected area that often is worse at night. They can be hard to detect because they can grow anywhere in the body.

    There are many other types of sarcomas, so if you think you may have a lump or swelling in your body, see a doctor. Types of soft tissue sarcomas include:

    • Liposarcoma
    • Synovial Cell Sarcoma
    • Fibrosarcoma
    • Hibernomas
    • Malignant Fibrous Histiocytoma
    • Rhabdomyosarcoma
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