Our surgeons are recognized for their expertise in the early identification and treatment of extremity tumors for both adults and children. Because of their vast experience, our team sees more patients with rare tumors than most orthopedic surgeons, giving them the opportunity to perfect techniques and practices.
We care for a wide range of both benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) bone tumors, including:
- Osteosarcoma: a cancer of the bone, typically found in the arms, legs or pelvis
- Soft tissue sarcoma: cancers that begin in the muscles, tendons, fat, blood vessels, fibrous tissues
- Ewing’s sarcoma: tumors that typically develop in the cavity of the leg and arm bones
- Chondrosarcoma: cancer of the cartilage
- Metastatic bone cancer: occurs when cancer has spread from a different primary site
- Fibrous dysplasia: an uncommon bone disorder in which scar-like (fibrous) tissue takes the place of normal bone
- Giant cell tumors: a malignant primary bone tumor. Giant cell tumors are most commonly found in the arm or leg bones.
- Osteochondromas: an outgrowth of the growth plate, made up of both bone and cartilage
- Enchondromas: tumors that start in the cartilage inside bones
- Bone cysts: fluid-filled spots on the bone that may go away on their own but could weaken the bone, creating fractures
- Multiple myelomas: a rare cancer of the bone marrow
- Paget’s Disease: a bone condition in which the body rebuilds bone too quickly, giving it an abnormal structure
- Lipomas: benign tumors made of fat issue
- Any bone, joint or muscle tumors
Unparalleled, coordinated care
For each patient, we gather the top experts in each related area (medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, pathologists, genetic counselors, radiologists, nurses, physical therapists and nurse navigators) to work collaboratively, creating a multidisciplinary, customized treatment plan for each patient.
"Not only did I meet with Dr. Kelly for my surgery, but, with meeting with her, it was like meeting with a whole huge team of doctors with different specialties. And I felt like they all really communicated really well together."
Because our team has focused its specialization so narrowly, we are able to work more expeditiously. We have the only pathologist in the region who focuses on bone and soft tissue tumors, and often we can perform a biopsy and have results the next day.
Limb-sparing treatment
While we focus on "life over limb" for each patient, for the right candidate, our team has found success in treating sarcomas while sparing the limb. Some of these procedures have been pioneered and advanced by our surgeons. Procedures include allograft procedures, custom implant designs, foam metal technologies, growing prosthetics for children, innovative amputation techniques and soft-tissue reconstruction options.
"Thank you for your determination for me not to lose my hand and that I could live a normal life."
Pelvic stabilization
Pelvic deterioration is a significant concern for patients who have weakened pelvic muscles due to bone cancer or radiation therapy for cancer of another part of the body. Along with Interventional Radiologist Tony Brown, MD, Daniel Lerman, MD created a novel surgical technique to address stabilizing the hip. Percutaneous pelvic stabilization is minimally invasive treatment option that provides an increase in quality of life for patients who have lost mobility or are in constant pain due to diseased or exposed bone.
Treatment plans may include tumor ablation, orthopedic screw stabilization and bone cement to augment areas of bone degeneration.
"I went from bedridden in June, July, totally bedridden, in incredible pain, and at Thanksgiving, I did three miles with my two canes in the National Parks."