Learn more about our appointment options and what to bring with you to your first appointment.
Aggressive benign bone and soft tissue tumors are a group of tumors that exhibit locally aggressive behavior but do not metastasize (spread) to distant sites like malignant tumors. This means they grow into surrounding tissues and can be locally destructive, but they don't spread to other organs like the lungs or liver.
While considered "benign" or not inherently harmful, their potential for local trauma to the affected area and recurrence makes their management complex. Since these tumors are not typically fatal in the same way as malignant tumors, survival rates are generally high. However, the rate of local recurrence can be significant depending on the specific tumor type, its location, and the treatment approach.
At AHN, we are at the forefront of cancer care. AHN health care providers see each patient for the individual they are with specific needs. The rarity of specific aggressive benign bone and soft tissue tumors varies greatly, and we have the experience to create a treatment plan for you.
Our approach includes:
Some types are relatively uncommon while others are more frequently seen. If you discover any unexplained lump, pain, or other unusual symptoms, see a health care professional promptly. Early diagnosis is crucial for all types of tumors, whether benign or malignant, to ensure appropriate and timely management.
These tumors are abnormal growths of cells that form within the bones.
Benign bone tumors often don't cause any noticeable symptoms and might be discovered incidentally during an X-ray or other imaging tests done for unrelated reasons. However, depending on their size, location, and how fast they grow, they can cause problems.
Common symptoms include:
Benign soft tissue tumors are noncancerous growths that develop in the soft tissues of the body. Soft tissues connect, support, or surround other structures and organs in the body. This includes the muscles, tendons, ligaments, fat, blood vessels, synovium (lining of joints), and nerves of your body.
Common types of soft tissue tumors include:
Benign soft tissue tumors, similar to bone tumors, often grow slowly and don’t always cause symptoms. When they do, the symptoms can be varied depending on the tumor's location, size, and how it presses on nearby nerves, blood vessels, muscles, or organs.
Common symptoms include:
Treatment options often mirror those used for malignant tumors and typically involve a multidisciplinary approach. In rare recurring cases, we may also use radiation therapy or immunotherapy, depending on your needs and treatment plan.
The mainstay of treatment often involves surgically removing the tumor with a margin of healthy tissue to minimize recurrence risk. The extent of surgery depends on the tumor's size, location, and type.
Surgical options include:
These drugs target specific molecules involved in the growth and spread of tumor cells. They are becoming increasingly important in treating certain types of bone and soft tissue sarcomas.
Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat or another energy source — like extreme cold — to destroy tumor cells. It can be a good option for treating bone and soft tissue tumors since they do not metastasize (spread) to other areas of the body. Depending on your specific type of cancer, your doctor may want to pursue the following ablation techniques to destroy the tumor cells. These options may include:
AHN bone and soft tissue cancer specialists have the training, expertise, and compassion to treat and guide you through your diagnosis. Using the latest technological advancements in treatments, AHN cancer specialists offer some of the region’s most comprehensive care. This, combined with a deep understanding of palliative care provides you with a greater level of attention.
Orthopedic Oncology Surgeon
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Physician Assistant
Medical Oncologist
Physician Assistant
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiation Oncologist
Radiologist
To make an appointment you can:
Please bring all relevant imaging on CD or through PowerShare with correlating reports for review by our team to your initial appointment.
Expect to meet the orthopaedic oncology team and get a brief overview of the treatment timeline. Your appointments may be overwhelming, so write down your questions and bring them with you to the office. Bring someone who can act as your support. These people can help you remember details discussed in the office and be there or you, if needed, throughout the appointment.
AHN participates in clinical trials of therapies that are open for patients who qualify and wish to participate. Patients are screened for consideration with ongoing clinical trials at every stage of their treatment.
Clinical trials are studies that try to answer questions about new ways to treat cancer with medications, radiation, or surgical techniques. Previous trials have shown how new methods of treatment improve survival and quality of life and reduce the risk of issues returning. You participate in a clinical trial only if you volunteer to do so and meet criteria for inclusion in the study, and you can stop participating in a trial at any time.
The plan for the trial, called a protocol, explains what the trial will do and how the study will be done. Based on the questions the research is trying to answer, each clinical trial protocol outlines specific criteria necessary to be eligible to join the trial.
Common criteria for entering a trial are:
If you would like to participate in a clinical trial and help our innovative team discover groundbreaking cancer solutions, ask your doctor if you’re eligible to participate in one. Find currently active clinical trials that are open for participation.
Referrals are sent to Allegheny Orthopaedic Associates (AOA), attention to Lisa Ercolano.
For more information about referring your patient to an AHN specialist, read the Independent Physician Referral FAQs.
After referring your patient to an AHN specialist, use the EpicCare Link platform to collaborate with their AHN specialist, view your patient's test results, treatment plan, and progress.
If you are new to EpicCare Link, or need to request your own EpicCare Link account, read: EpicCare Link for Patient Follow-up, for user instructions and new account request forms.
If you can’t access your patient's AHN test results through the EpicCare Link platform, your patient will need to complete and submit the correct AHN Medical Records Release form, based on their state of residency. Support your patient’s request by downloading the correct medical records release form for them:
EpicCare® is a registered trademark of Epic Systems Corporation and used with permission.
EpicCare® Link™ is a trademark of Epic Systems Corporation and used with permission.
Learn more about our appointment options and what to bring with you to your first appointment.