Orthopedic Oncology in Birmingham and Central Alabama
Orthopedic Oncology at OrthoSports
Finding a lump, or being told an X-ray shows something in a bone, is unsettling. The good news is that most bone and soft tissue tumors are benign, meaning they are not cancer. Some are not, and the difference cannot be determined from the outside. An accurate diagnosis is the single most important step, and the sooner it is made, the better your options.
At OrthoSports Associates, orthopedic oncology care is led by Dr. Kenneth Jaffe, who completed fellowship training in orthopedic oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Harvard, and who is a member of the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society and the International Skeletal Society. If you have a lump, a mass, or unexplained bone pain, please schedule a personal consultation today.
Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors We Treat
Tumors of the bones and soft tissues range from common benign growths to rare cancers. The conditions we evaluate include:
- Benign Bone TumorsOsteochondroma is the most common benign bone tumor, along with enchondroma, osteoid osteoma, fibrous dysplasia, and simple and aneurysmal bone cysts. These are not cancer, but a growing tumor can weaken a bone enough to cause it to fracture.
- Giant Cell Tumor of BoneUsually benign, but it can behave aggressively, growing into and destroying the bone next to a joint.
- Metastatic Bone DiseaseCancer that originates in an organ, most commonly the breast, lung, thyroid, kidney, or prostate, and then spreads to bone.
- Primary Bone CancersOsteosarcoma, which most often develops around the knee, shoulder, or hip and is the most common bone cancer in children; Ewing sarcoma, which occurs primarily in children and young adults; chondrosarcoma, the most common primary bone cancer in adults; multiple myeloma; and chordoma, which occurs in the bones of the spine and the base of the skull.
- Soft Tissue TumorsLipomas, the common benign fatty tumors found just beneath the skin, and soft tissue sarcomas, which are cancerous tumors that begin in muscle, fat, nerves, or blood vessels.
Common Symptoms of Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors
Symptoms vary depending on the type and location of the tumor. Some common signs that should prompt an evaluation include the following:
- Pain that is worse at night or does not go away with rest
- A lump or mass that is growing in size
- A lump that is larger than two inches and located deep in the tissue
- Bone pain that is not related to an injury and does not resolve
- A bone that fractures after a minor injury, or with no injury at all
- A painless lump. Many bone and soft tissue tumors cause no pain at all, so the absence of pain does not rule out a problem
When to Seek Medical Attention
If you have any of the symptoms above, it’s important to be evaluated rather than wait and see. Patients who have been treated for cancer should be aware that any new pain, especially in the back, legs, and arms, should be reported to their doctor immediately. Pain that occurs without heavy activity is particularly concerning.
OrthoSports Physicians who Treat Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors
Bone and Soft Tissue Tumor Guides
Learn about bone and soft tissue tumors before you come in.
Common Questions About Bone Tumors
Are most bone tumors cancerous?
No. Most bone tumors are benign, which means not cancerous. Benign tumors are usually not life-threatening, and most of the time they do not spread to other parts of the body. Some are malignant, or cancerous, and those can send cancer cells elsewhere in the body. Either way the bone itself is affected: a growing tumor, even a benign one, destroys healthy tissue and weakens bone.
Read: Bone Tumor →
What are the symptoms of a bone tumor?
People with a bone tumor often have pain in the area of the tumor, generally dull and aching, that may worsen at night and increase with activity. Fever and night sweats can happen as well. Many people have no symptoms at all and notice a lump that does not hurt instead. Infections, stress fractures and other conditions that are not tumors can closely resemble one.
Read: Bone Tumor →
What is metastatic bone disease?
It is when a cancer starts in one part of the body, such as an organ, a gland or a tissue, and then spreads to bone. The cancers that most commonly do are breast, lung, thyroid, kidney and prostate.
Read: Metastatic Bone Disease →
When should I see an orthopedic oncologist?
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends scheduling a consultation with an orthopedic oncologist if you are over 45, have no personal history of cancer, and an X-ray finds a bone tumor. If you have cancer and have any pain, especially in the back, legs or arms, tell your doctor immediately.
Read: Metastatic Bone Disease →
Where can I see an orthopedic oncology specialist?
Dr. Kenneth Jaffe treats orthopedic oncology conditions at OrthoSports, and sees patients at UAB St. Vincent’s Birmingham.
For advice about your own pain, schedule an appointment with one of our physicians. These answers are summarized from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the full guides are good background to talk over at your visit.
Expert Tumor Care in Alabama
Many people who come to us with a lump or an unexplained ache do not have cancer, and a clear answer is often all the treatment they need. When a tumor does require treatment, imaging, biopsy, and the plan that follows are handled by a surgeon with fellowship training specifically in musculoskeletal tumors, coordinating with medical and radiation oncology as each case requires.
If you have a lump, a mass, or bone pain you cannot explain, contact us to schedule a personal consultation today!