Orthopedic Oncology

Conditions We Treat

Bone Tumors

Adamantinoma
Rare malignant tumor that is most commonly identified in the lower extremity (especially the tibia or “shin” bone). Adamantinomas typically present in the young adults, but may affect all age groups.

Chondroblastoma
Rare benign tumor that resembles cartilage. Chondroblastomas are most frequently identified at the ends of long bones (thigh and upper arm) and are typically diagnosed in males less than 25 years old.

Chondromyxoid Fibroma
Rare, benign, and slow growing tumor usually found in the lower extremity. Chondromyxoid Fibromas arise from connective tissue that normally functions to produce cartilage and primarily affects younger patients.

Chondrosarcoma
Malignant tumor comprised of cancerous cells that produce cartilage. Chondrosarcomas are the second most common type of primary bone cancer (originating from bone) and typically affects cartilage in the extremities or pelvis.

Desmoplastic Fibroma
Extremely rare benign tumor that typically occurs in patients less than 30. This slowly progressing tumor is comprised of cells that produce the connective tissue collagen. Desmoplastic Fibromas are most commonly found in the jaw, but have also been identified in the femur and pelvis.

Enchondromas
Benign tumor that forms in cartilage (most commonly cartilage lining the inside of bones).Enchondromas are the most common type of hand tumor, but can be found throughout the upper and lower extremities.

Ewing Sarcoma
Rare cancer most commonly diagnosed in children and teens between the ages of 10-19. Ewing sarcoma is usually identified in the bone, but can also grow in adjacent soft tissues.

Fibrosarcoma of Bone
Rare malignant tumor derived from connective tissue. Fibrosarcomas most often occur at the ends of long bones and can cause damage or extension to adjacent soft tissue. Though most common in adults, adolescents can be affected by the adult form while infants may be diagnosed with a separate variant known as infantile or congenital fibrosarcoma.

Giant Cell Tumor
Rare and benign, but locally aggressive tumor that commonly occurs near the end of long bones (especially around the knee). Giant Cell tumors can also be found in the upper extremity, pelvis, and lower back. Though generally affecting young to middle aged adults, this tumor can be seen across all age groups.

Hemangioma (bone)
Benign lesion within bone that develops from vascular endothelial tissues (blood vessels). Hemangiomas are often seen on the skin as a “birthmark”, but when identified in bone tend to affect the skull or vertebral bodies of the spine. As they are benign and usually asymptomatic, hemangiomas of the bone are usually an incidental finding on x-ray.

Leukemia
Cancer of the blood and bone marrow and the most common form of cancer in childhood. In Leukemia, cancer cells affect white blood cell production in the bone marrow causing rapid production of immature or abnormal cells.;

Lymphoma
Cancer found in the lymphatic system affecting a type of white blood cell (lymphocytes). The lymphatic system plays an important role in the immune system. Lymphoma is classified as either Hodgkin or Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma depending on the specific lymphocytes involved, and can cause impaired immunity and tumor growth.

Metastatic Cancer of Bone
In contrast to primary bone cancer (originating from the bone), cancers initially affecting other organs or systems of the body can eventually spread or metastasize to the bone. Because involvement of the bone is a potential finding in many different types of cancer, metastatic bone cancer is more common than primary bone cancer.

Non-ossifying Fibroma
Most common benign bone tumor in children, present in an estimated 30-40% of individuals under the age of 20. Non-ossifying Fibromas are comprised of fibrous tissue and typically occur in the lower extremity (especially in the ends of the bones forming the knee joint).

Osteoblastoma
Rare generally benign tumor that often develops in the extremities and spine of adolescents and young adults. Osteoblastomas typically have a slow rate of growth, but can dissolve healthy bone replacing it with a weakened abnormal matrix called osteoid.

Osteochondroma
Benign tumor comprised of bone and cartilage that typically forms an abnormal growth (exostosis) on the surfaces of bones near the growth plate. Usually identified as a single tumor, the presence of many osteochondromatosis may be suggestive of a genetic condition, such as Multiple Hereditary Exostosis.

Osteoid Osteoma
Benign tumor that usually develops in the long bones of the body (thigh and leg). An osteoid osteoma can result in abnormal bone growth and most frequently affects individuals between the ages of 4 and 25 years old.

Osteosarcoma
Most common primary bone cancer (originating from bone). Osteosarcoma typically forms in the growth regions of bones in the upper and lower extremities. Although osteosarcoma can occur at any age, it is most prevalent in teenagers.

Periosteal Chondromas
Benign tumor of cartilage that occurs on the surface of bone involving the periosteum (a connective tissue layer that envelopes bone). Most common in patients less than 30 years old, periosteal chondromas are typically slow growing but can erode underlying bone over time.

Soft Tissue Tumors

Angiosarcoma
Malignant cancer of endothelial cells (forming the lining of blood vessels) that can occur throughout the body including the soft tissue. Angiosarcomas are very rare in pediatric patients and when diagnosed are usually identified in the chest or head and neck regions. 

Calicifying Aponeurotic Fibroma
Rare benign soft tissue tumor that can present in children and young adults. This growth is comprised of fibrous tissue and tends to form nodules in the distal extremities (hands and feet).

Desmoid Tumors (Aggressive Fibromatoses)
Rare, locally aggressive tumor comprised of fibrous connective tissue that can invade adjacent organs and structures. Desmoid tumors can develop almost anywhere in the body and have a tendency to recur even after surgical resection.

Epithelioid Sarcoma
Rare malignant soft tissue tumor that is most frequent in the hands and wrists of adolescents and young adults. Despite being a slow-growing tumor, it can have high rates of metastasis and recurrence.

Glomus Tumor
Rare benign tumor of the glomus body, which is a structure important in temperature regulation. Glomus tumors typically arise within the nail bed, but they may also be identified in other bony or soft tissue portions of the distal extremities (hands and feet).

Lipomas
This growth of fat cells is the most common benign soft tissue tumor and can be found just beneath the skin or within and around muscles. Though typically identified in adults, lipomas can occur across all age groups.

Liposarcoma
Malignant tumor of fat cells that tends to form in the shoulder, lower extremities, or abdominal/pelvic region. Though the second most common soft tissue cancer in adults, the incidence of liposarcoma in children is relatively rare.

Neuroblastoma
Classification of tumors originating from primitive / immature sympathetic nervous system tissue. Due to the location of the sympathetic nervous system, neuroblastomas tend to develop in the adrenal glands, but can also affect regions near the spine or elsewhere in the chest and abdomen. This tumor is most common in children less than five years old.

Neurofibroma
Benign tumor of (Schwann) cells involving the nerve sheaths in the peripheral nervous system. A majority of neurofibromas are isolated findings, however they can also be associated with the genetic disorder Neurofibromatosis type 1.

Nodular Fasciitis
Benign, but rapidly growing mass of fibroblasts (cells that make connective tissue) that can form lesions in the fascia (connective tissue that forms layers between or around muscles and soft tissue). This condition most commonly involves the forearm, trunk, or lower extremities.

Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis
Benign mass resulting from the thickening and overgrowth of synovium.Synovium is a thin connective tissue layer that lines the surfaces of some joints and tendons producing a lubricating synovial fluid. Overgrowth can cause progressive damage and arthritis.

Plantar Fibromatosis (Lederhosen)
Thickening and abnormal growth of the plantar fascia (connective tissue on the soles of feet). Plantar fibromatosis tends to affect adult patients, but may occur in infants and children.

Rhabdomyosarcoma
Rare soft tissue cancer usually arising in skeletal muscle. Rhabdomyosarcomas can occur throughout the body, but are most commonly identified in the head and neck region.

Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Cancer that arises from soft tissue (muscle, blood vessels, fat, tendons, joint tissue, nerves, lymphatic vessels). Sarcomas can be found throughout the body, but are most common in the lower extremity.

Synovial Chondromatosis
Abnormal growth of synovium (thin connective tissue found in joints and on tendons) that can produce cartilage nodules. These nodules are at risk of breaking off within the joint space, forming loose bodies space causing painful damage and arthritis.

Synovial Sarcoma
Rare malignant tumor of cells resembling synovium (thin connective tissue found on the surface of joints and tendons). These tumors can be found in any part of the body, but most frequently begin in the extremities. It is most common among teenagers and young adults.

Other

Fibrous Dysplasia
Disorder of irregular bone formation in which normal bone is replaced by a lesion of fibrous connective tissue. Fibrous dysplasia can affect single (monostotic) or multiple bones (polyostotic fibrous dysplasia). McCune-Albright is a genetic syndrome characterized by skin pigmentation and hormonal (endocrine) abnormalities that also manifests with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia.

Heterotopic Ossification
Condition in which bone forms in an abnormal location (usually in the soft tissue). Heterotopic ossification most commonly occurs following traumatic or neurological (spinal cord) injury. Myositis Ossificans is an extremely rare genetic condition in which multiple, recurrent lesions of heterotopic ossification form in the soft tissue.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis
Rare disorder of immune cells (histiocytes and Langerhans cells) that most commonly affects children between the ages of one and three. This condition can cause single or multiple bone lesions and typically presents in the skull, thigh, spine, rib or arm in children. An Eosinophilic granuloma (formerly known as histiocytosis X) is a benign subtype of Langerhans cell histiocytosis that usually forms a localized bone lesion.

Osteofibrous Dysplasia
Benign tumor that most commonly develops in the tibia (shin) of children and individuals less than 20 years old. Growth of the tumor will usually stabilize once the child has reached maturity and the bone is no longer elongating.

Paget's Disease (Juvenile form)
Condition of disordered bone growth in which bones are excessively thick and enlarged. Paget’s disease can affect the entire skeleton and can notably cause hearing loss due to skull growth and abnormal spine curvature. Patients are at increased risk of fracture because of the abnormal composition and structure of their bone.

Tumoral Calcinosis
Rare often familial condition in which abnormal masses and depositions of calcification form in the soft-tissue (usually around joints).