What is Orthopedic Oncology?

This is a branch of medicine that is primarily focused on the musculoskeletal structures of the human body. The branch involves treating tumors that are present in these structures. This branch of medicine deals with tumors in both children and adults. The branch also deals with orthopedic problems that require a multidisciplinary corporation to treat. For instance fractures, arthritis and infections.

How Diagnosis Takes Place

The process of diagnosing bone cancer will entail imaging. Imaging may be done through the use of various means. The faster the cancer is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can begin. Any of these methods may be used to image the cancer growth:

Imaging cancer in the musculoskeletal structure helps to establish the structures it has affected. It also helps the doctor determine the best type of treatment. Needle biopsy is also performed in some instances. The needle biopsy eliminates the need for an invasive incision. This used to be the standard procedure bore advances in medicine.

Treatment

A number of treatment options are available for patients with tumors in the musculoskeletal structures. The most common type of procedure is chemotherapy. This is only used if the diagnosis determines the tumor to be cancerous. More than a hundred drugs are used for treating cancer. Sometimes chemotherapy can be quite effective; however, at times, it does not work.

In some instances, a patient may be asked to participate in a clinical trial. This is because researchers are constantly working on new drugs to deal with cancer. These clinical trials are important in making advances in the treatment of cancer. Patients who participate in them are making an important contribution to medicine.

Other types of treatment are surgery. The common type of surgery will usually involve removing the cancerous section and replacing it with an artificial substitute. This is known as bone sparing. The procedure has gained prominence in recent years. It is quite effective and prevents the cancerous cells from spreading to other parts.

If the tumors are not in the bones, the surgery may be performed to remove infected parts. In most cases, surgery usually means that there are some scars left. At times, these scars can be quite prominent. However, the surgery can be quite effective in stopping the spread of cancer.

How much time is required?

The length of treatment usually varies from individual to individual. Some people respond quite effectively to treatment. However, others do not respond at all to the chemotherapy or surgery. The trea

How will patient recover?

Recovery from the cancer treatment can be quite challenging, especially the chemotherapy. In addition, one has to go for regular checkups to ensure it does not reemerge. The best thing a patient can do is to ensure that they exercise on a regular basis and take healthy foods. In addition, patients who are recovering need to go for canceling. Due to the scars left behind, some people may develop a low self-esteem. Most importantly, they need the love and support of family and friends to get through it.