OVERVIEWOrthopaedic oncology is a specialised field of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant tumours of the musculoskeletal system. Bone tumours, including osteosarcoma, can be challenging to treat and require the expertise of a skilled orthopaedic oncologist.
Osteosarcoma is one of the most common types of bone cancer, and the incidence of the disease varies in different parts of the world, including India. As the number of bone cancer cases continues to rise, there is an increasing demand for well-trained and experienced orthopaedic oncologists to provide optimal care to patients.
Types
Osteosarcoma
This develops in connective tissues and affects muscles, fat, tendons, cartilage, nerves, bones, and blood vessels. Can occur in children and adults. Primarily forms in knee joints.
Ewing Sarcoma
Tumours in bone or soft tissue in the legs, arms, ribs, spine, and pelvis. Extremely rare and aggressive.
Chondrosarcoma
Rare cancer affecting adults in the cartilage, the connective tissue from where the bones develop.
Chordoma
Slow-growing cancer occurring anywhere along the spine, diagnosed at the tailbone or on top of the spine.
Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma
Rare bone cancer found in the knee joints of adults.
Fibrosarcoma
Soft tissue sarcoma that affects the thigh bone and is often diagnosed in middle-aged individuals.
Sarcoma Of Paget's Disease of Bone
More common in the elderly, presents as an overgrowth of bony tissues in the skull region, and in rare cases, can develop into osteosarcoma.
Management of Orthopaedic Cancers
Management of orthopaedic cancers often demands a multidisciplinary approach. As a leading orthopaedic cancer hospital in India, HCG focuses on making cancer care more patient-centric, personalised, and value-based for orthopaedic cancer patients. We use modern diagnostic and treatment approaches to help our patients receive the best care when they choose us as their cancer care provider.
Diagnosis of Orthopaedic Cancers
There are multiple tests available to detect and diagnose orthopaedic cancers:
Blood Tests:
Used to diagnose orthopaedic cancers by identifying markers indicative of cancerous activity in the body.
Bone Scan:
A medical imaging test used to create images of bones to detect cancerous or other abnormal areas in the bones by injecting radioactive materials.
Imaging Tests
These procedures generate detailed images of the bones. Common imaging tests include X-rays, MRIs, and PET-CT scans.
Surgical or Needle Biopsies
These procedures involve removing a sample of tissue from the body for laboratory analysis to determine whether cancer cells are present.
Treatment for Orthopaedic Cancers
Bone cancers can affect any age group, and just like in the case of all tumours, early diagnosis plays a pivotal role in achieving a positive outcome. The following are the different treatment options available for orthopaedic cancers:
The main goal of surgery is the removal of cancer cells. In some cases, depending on the severity, amputation may be recommended, which may be followed by reconstructive surgery.
Limb-salvage Surgery:
This procedure involves removing the cancerous part of the bone while preserving the surrounding muscles, tendons, and nerves.
Amputation:
In severe cases where limb salvage surgery is not feasible, amputation may be recommended to remove the cancerous part.
Reconstructive Surgery:
This procedure is performed to restore the normal function and appearance of the affected limb after the cancerous part is removed.
Cryosurgery:
This minimally invasive procedure involves freezing the cancerous cells with liquid nitrogen, which destroys them.
Radiofrequency Ablation:
This minimally invasive procedure involves using high-frequency electrical currents to heat and destroy cancerous cells.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells or stop them from growing. IMRT, stereotactic radiosurgery, and proton-beam radiation therapy may be used to treat orthopaedic cancers.
Systemic therapies when administered destroy cancer cells throughout the body. Systemic therapies are often administered with other treatments and are helpful in managing both early-stage and advanced orthopaedic cancers.
Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to destroy cancer cells throughout the body.
Immunotherapy:
Immunotherapy works by signalling the body's immune system to recognise and attack cancer cells.
Targeted Therapy:
Targeted therapy uses drugs to specifically target cancer cells and their unique characteristics.
