Benign tumors
Benign bone tumors do not spread to other parts of the body but can cause pain and sometimes even fractures. Many of these are more commonly found in children. In contrast, adults are more commonly diagnosed with benign (or malignant) soft tissue tumors. In many cases, these tumors can be diagnosed based on clinical imaging and do not need a biopsy. Often these tumors are unrelated to their symptoms and do not need treatment.
See here for Commonly Treated Conditions (bone and soft tissue tumors)
Sarcomas (bone and muscle cancers)
Sarcomas always require surgery, often in combination with other therapies such as radiation or chemotherapy. As they are malignant, they can spread to other parts of the body.
Sarcomas are uncommon, accounting for less than 1% of all cancers. The infrequency of sarcomas means most doctors seldom see them, so they are often missed or misdiagnosed. The signs of musculoskeletal malignancy vary from person to person. Soft tissue sarcomas are not often painful, while bone sarcomas typically cause dull but persistent pain. Both can grow quickly and behave aggressively, so early detection and treatment is crucial.
Many sarcomas can be cured with proper treatment. Positive results require an accurate diagnosis, a tailored treatment plan, and a highly-skilled multidisciplinary team of specialists, like the musculoskeletal tumor team at Virginia Cancer Specialists.
See here for Commonly Treated Conditions (bone and soft tissue sarcomas)
Metastatic tumors
Many patients with advanced lung, breast, renal or prostate cancer will experience painful metastases to their skeleton at some point. Having access to a team with experience in complex reconstructive surgery around the hip, pelvis and shoulder, as well as advanced radiation therapy techniques, can make the difference between good and poor outcomes for these patients.