Orthopaedic-Oncology

The primary goal of orthopaedic oncology is to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients, which includes not only the effective treatment of cancer but also the maintenance of quality of life and functional ability.

This specialty is particularly important for patients with tumours in the extremities, pelvis, and other critical areas, where surgical intervention can significantly impact mobility and overall well-being.

For the treatment of musculoskeletal tumours, a multidisciplinary team approach is essential. Therefore, an orthopaedic oncologist collaborates closely with physicians and other healthcare professionals from a variety of medical specialities, such as radiology, pathology, plastic surgery, physiotherapy, medical oncology, and radiation oncology.

This is to make sure that our patients can receive knowledge from a variety of viewpoints while simultaneously coordinating various (surgical and non-surgical) therapy processes.

Orthopaedic oncology primarily focuses on the treatment of various tumours or neoplasms affecting the bones and soft tissues. The main conditions treated include:

• Primary Bone Sarcomas: These are rare cancers that originate in the bone, with osteosarcoma being one of the most common types. In the UK, there are approximately 550 new cases of primary bone sarcomas each year
• Soft Tissue Sarcomas: These tumours arise in the soft tissues surrounding the bones, such as muscles, fat, and connective tissues. They can be benign or malignant and require specialized treatment approaches
• Benign Tumours: Orthopaedic oncologists also treat non-cancerous tumours that can cause pain or functional impairment, such as osteochondromas and giant cell tumours.
• Metastatic Bone Disease: This condition occurs when cancer from other parts of the body spreads to the bones. Treatment often involves managing symptoms and maintaining mobility.
• Tumour-like Conditions: These include developmental dysplasia’s and other abnormal growths that may mimic tumours but are not cancerous.

Overall, orthopaedic oncology encompasses a wide range of conditions, focusing on both surgical and non-surgical management to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

We treat patients with musculoskeletal non-cancerous tumours as well as those with early- and advanced-stage malignancies. Among these conditions are:

• Osteosarcoma
• Ewing’s sarcoma
• Chondrosarcoma
• Adamantinoma

• Liposarcoma
• Fibrosarcoma
• Synovial sarcoma
• Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP)
• Epithelioid sarcoma
• Rhabdomyosarcoma
• Leiomyosarcoma
• Angiosarcoma
• Myxofibrosarcoma
• Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma (UPS)
• Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNST)

• Enchondroma
• Osteochondroma
• Chondroblastoma
• Osteoid osteoma
• Osteoblastoma
• Bone cysts like aneurysmal bone cysts (ABC) and unicameral bone cysts (UBC)
• Fibrous dysplasia
• Non-Ossifying fibroma

• Lipoma
• Epidermal/Sebaceous cyst
• Neurofibroma
• Schwannoma
• Giant cell tumour (GCT)
• PVNS – Pigmented villonodular synovitis
• Desmoid tumours / fibromatosis
• Myxoma
• Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)

• Multiple myeloma
• Lymphoma
• Plasmacytoma
• Metastatic carcinoma

• Complex reconstructive surgery after tumour removal
• Management of orthopaedic problems in cancer patients
• Infections of the bone and the bone marrow