Surgical Services

The physicians at the Orthopaedic Oncology Center at Washington Cancer Institute are recognized internationally for their expertise in complex orthopaedic tumor surgery, and see patients referred from all over the United States and the world.  Our limb salvage rate is 98 percent, and our patients have a greater return to function because of our advanced techniques.

Orthopaedic surgery
Surgery to remove tumors from the musculoskeletal system involves three main steps:

1. Removing the tumor
2. Fixing the bone
3. Repairing the soft tissues, including muscles,  tendons and ligaments,  and closing the skin to return function (complete movement of the limb, if possible) and cosmetic appearance

Orthopaedic cancer surgery
Complete removal of the tumor during surgery is critical for patients.  It helps minimize the risk of the tumor returning at a later date.

Our team developed a number of innovative surgical techniques to remove tumors safely and accurately. For the majority of patients, these techniques do not require an amputation. Skeletal reconstruction and soft tissue reconstruction are also important, as both determine how well the limb works after surgery and returns to full function.

Complex surgeries
When a surgery is extremely complex, our orthopaedic surgeons consult with and include other surgical specialists as part of the treatment team. These specialists may be microvascular surgeons, neurosurgeons, vascular surgeons, general surgeons, spine surgeons or plastic surgeons. 

These specialists work as a coordinated surgical team to determine the best surgical approach for each patient.  Goals include removing as much of the cancer as possible, and maintaining function of the limb.

Learn more about:

• Limb sparing surgery
• Endoprosthetic reconstruction
• Shoulder girdle surgery
• Complex revision surgeries
• Cryosurgery