Orthopedic Oncology

Although rare, cancer and other tumors in bones and soft tissues can be life-threatening. Orthopedic oncology surgeons at Trinity Health Of New England offer highly specialized care to destroy cancer and relieve your symptoms. We work with other cancer specialists across the region to provide care for children and adults with bone cancer and other orthopedic tumors.

What Is Orthopedic Cancer?

Tumors that affect bones and soft tissues, such as muscles and joints, are rare. Known as musculoskeletal tumors, some can be benign or low grade, and others can be aggressive. Musculoskeletal tumors can be:

Primary cancer: Cancer cells that begin growing in bones or soft tissues are called primary bone cancer, a rare condition.
Metastatic cancer: Also known as secondary cancer, metastatic bone cancer is cancer that starts growing elsewhere in the body and spreads (metastasizes) to musculoskeletal tissues. Cancers that commonly spread to bones include breast, prostate, lung, kidney and thyroid cancer. Most cancer that is found in bones is metastatic.
Benign tumors: These noncancerous tumors do not spread to other organs but can still damage and weaken bones. Most bone tumors are benign.

Orthopedic Oncology Specialists

You’ll receive care from orthopedic oncology surgeons with specialized training and experience in both cancer care and orthopedic surgery. Our surgeons have extensive expertise in complex surgeries to:

Remove benign and primary cancer tumors in bones and soft tissues
Reconstruct and stabilize weak or broken bones and joints

Team Care

You may need treatment in addition to surgery. Our orthopedic oncology surgeons work closely with Trinity Health Of New England cancer specialists to provide comprehensive care. Learn more about cancer treatment and diagnosis at Trinity Health Of New England, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Your care team may include providers from several areas of medicine, such as:

Diagnostic radiology: Radiologists use X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, bone scans and other radiation-based techniques to diagnose cancer.
Pathology: Pathologists examine samples of tumor tissue under a microscope to help diagnose a tumor.
Medical oncology: Our medical oncologists use chemotherapy and other anticancer medications to treat cancer.
Radiation oncology: Radiation oncologists treat cancer with radiation therapy, high-energy radiation that destroys cancer cells.
Physical and occupational therapy: Our physical and occupational therapists help people regain strength, mobility and function after treatment for musculoskeletal tumors.

Tumors We Treat With Orthopedic Oncology Surgery

Orthopedic oncology surgeons at Trinity Health Of New England treat adults and children with musculoskeletal tumors such as:

Primary bone cancers such as osteosarcoma, multiple myeloma and Ewing’s sarcoma
Benign bone tumors such as chondroblastoma, fibrous dysplasia and Paget’s disease
Primary soft tissue cancers such as rhabdomyosarcoma and synovial sarcoma
Benign soft tissue tumors such as fibroma, ganglion cyst and leiomyoma
Metastatic bone cancers
Pediatric orthopedic cancers

Services vary at Orthopedic Care locations.