Growths in bones or soft tissues require an accurate diagnosis. Penn Medicine’s Orthopaedic Oncology Program helps you get reliable answers as quickly as possible. Our team cares for a variety of benign and malignant tumors and related conditions, in people of all ages. We provide individualized treatment plans designed to remove tumors, maintain your mobility, and protect your quality of life.
Conditions Treated by Penn Medicine’s Orthopaedic Oncologists
Our program’s orthopaedic oncologists specialize in tumors found in bones and soft tissues including blood vessels, cartilage, fat, ligaments, lymph vessels, muscles, nerves, and tendons.
When necessary, our orthopaedic oncologists collaborate with other Penn Medicine surgeons to remove bone or soft tissue tumors found on the spine or in the chest, belly, head, or neck.
Tumors our orthopaedic oncology team cares for include:
Sarcomas
Our orthopaedic oncologists specialize in caring for a rare group of cancers called sarcomas. Many of these cancers form as soft tissue sarcomas. Other cancers in the group develop as bone sarcomas. Treating sarcomas almost always involves surgical removal of the tumor, which requires extensive skill and a specialized approach.
As a key part of the Penn Sarcoma Program, our orthopaedic oncologists partner with other top doctors across multiple disciplines. Together, they form one of the nation’s most experienced sarcoma teams.
Cancer That Spread to Bones
Cancer from other parts of the body can spread (metastasize) to the bones. These tumors are much more common than cancer that starts in bones. They are most often found in the bones of the spine and can also occur frequently in the bones of the arms, legs, pelvis, and ribs.
Our orthopaedic oncologists provide care for affected bones in the arms, legs, and pelvis. They work closely with the other specialists from Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center treating the original site of cancer.
Benign Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors
Abnormalities in the bones are called “lesions” and those in the soft tissues are called lumps or masses. Most bone lesions and soft tissue lumps are benign (noncancerous). Some are caused by inflammation or another condition such as metabolic bone disease, while others are tumors that may grow slowly but not spread. Some are fluid-filled pockets called cysts.
While such lesions and lumps are not cancerous, they still require proper evaluation. They may also need treatment. The benign tumors our program cares for include:
Soft tissue tumors:
- Desmoid tumor
- Myxoma
- Schwannoma/neurofibroma
- Simple lipoma/atypical lipomatous tumor
- Vascular malformation
Bone tumors:
- Chondroblastoma
- Chondromyxoid fibroma
- Endochondroma
- Fibrous dysplasia
- Giant cell tumor
- Liposclerosing myofibrous tumor
- Nonossifying fibroma
- Osteoblastoma
- Osteochondroma
- Osteoid osteoma
What to Expect at Our Orthopaedic Oncology Program
From the moment you reach out, we prioritize your health and work quickly to protect it. We assist you through:
- Scheduling: When you contact us, our administrative coordinator will get you an appointment as soon as possible. Usually we can see you within days—sometimes even the next day—if we are able to electronically transfer any previous imaging or you can bring the images on a CD. The administrative coordinator will ask you about any care you’ve had so far. If you have had a prior biopsy, we will request those samples to review as well.
- Preparing for your visit: After your appointment is scheduled, our nurse coordinator will call you to get more information. You’ll be asked about any testing and medical records you may have. The administrative coordinator will help you get those records to our program so our doctors can review them ahead of time.
- Meeting the team: The goals of the initial meeting depend on whether you have a confirmed diagnosis. Typically, our team will ask you about your medical history and any symptoms you’ve been experiencing. You’ll also receive a physical exam. You may need additional scans or a procedure called a biopsy to secure a tissue sample as well. Our musculoskeletal radiology team might be able to perform this procedure the same day as your visit and provide prompt results.
- Receiving treatment recommendations: If you need treatment, we personalize your care plan. Malignant tumors and some aggressive benign tumors need to be surgically removed. Cancerous tumors may need additional treatment such as radiation therapy or drug therapy. Other benign tumors may not require removal and can be observed over time if not painful. Before surgery, you may need to first check back with your referring doctor if you have other health conditions. Otherwise, you’re asked to complete a few basic tests at Penn Medicine. You will also meet with the team to learn more about the operation if you need one and get a chance to ask any questions.
- Undergoing surgery and recovering: If you have a benign or malignant tumor surgically removed, you may go home the same day or you may need to spend a couple of days in the hospital recovering. Once you’re back home, our nurse coordinator will check in to see how you’re doing and review discharge instructions. You’ll come back to the office for a checkup two to three weeks after surgery. During this visit, the team will remove sutures or staples and any surgical drains previously placed.
- Returning for monitoring: If you had a cancerous tumor removed, we will need you to come back every 3 to 6 months to check for any signs of cancer recurrence over the next 5 years. If cancer does recur, we will quickly draw up new treatment recommendations in partnership with other Penn Sarcoma Program specialists.
If you live in Pennsylvania, you may be able to do some of your visits virtually. We will remain in close contact with your referring doctor throughout your care.
Why Choose Penn Medicine for Orthopaedic Oncology Care?
When you choose our program, you can count on:
- Expertise: Our program’s surgeons are national leaders in treating bone and soft tissue tumors. They write influential papers, give national talks, and serve in leadership roles for the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society, the professional group for the field. Meet our Orthopaedic Oncology team.
- Experience: Our orthopaedic oncologists have more than 40 years of combined experience—more than any other team in the region. They work with experience physicians assistants and nurse practitioners to deliver top care.
- Coordinated care: Many bone cancers are complex so our orthopaedic oncologists partner with a wide range of Penn Medicine surgeons and other specialists to safely and effectively remove tumors. In particular, plastic surgeons help restore healthy tissue, enhance healing, and preserve function. Our team also coordinates additional treatments you may need with other types of oncologists at the renowned Abramson Cancer Center.
Our program helps people of all ages, in partnership with the Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor Program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, when appropriate. If your child has treatment at CHOP, there is a seamless transition to follow-up care at Penn when they get older.
Make an Appointment
Please call 800-789-7366 or make an appointment.
The Penn Sarcoma Program offers same-day appointments to patients who have their imaging available. To learn more, call 215-349-8200.