Bone Cancer

Why Choose Nebraska Medicine for Bone Cancer Treatment

About 10,000 total are reported in the United States each year. It is because of the small number of diagnoses that there are fewer specialists available to treat these particular cancers.

That doesn't make it any easier to hear when you're the one diagnosed with bone or soft tissue cancer. Fortunately, at Nebraska Medicine, there is no shortage of knowledge on the best treatments and therapies for those who have received this diagnosis.

In fact, our bone cancer program includes the only orthopaedic oncologist in the state of Nebraska who specializes in cancerous and non-cancerous tumors of the bone and soft tissue in children and adults. He treats bone cancers that have originated in the bones as well as cancers that have originated from other sites and have spread to the bones. 

When you choose Nebraska Medicine for your treatment, you are making the choice to have some of the best and brightest in the region review your diagnosis, collaborate on your treatments, and help you navigate through the protocols necessary to fight it.

Your team will not only focus on eliminating your cancer, but empower you to thrive while undergoing treatment and making changes to your everyday life.

Types of Bone Cancers

Chondrosarcoma

Chondrosarcomas occur most often in middle-aged and older adults, typically in the pelvis or thigh bones. Many chondrosarcomas are low-grade tumors that grow slowly and rarely spread to other areas of the body. However, some chondrosarcomas are intermediate- and high-grade tumors that behave more aggressively.

Osteosarcoma

The most common type of bone cancer that is most common in children, adolescents and young adults. It accounts for about 3 percent of cancers that occur in children. Osteosarcoma is one of the few bone cancers that  begins in the bones and sometimes spreads to the other areas like the lungs or bones.

Ewing's Sarcoma

This type of bone cancer is rare and most frequently effects children and young adults. It can occur in any bone, but is most commonly found in the leg bones, hip bones, ribs and upper arms.

Metastatic Cancer

This is a type of cancer that has spread to the bone including but not limited to: carcinoma of the breast, lung, kidney, thyroid, prostate, multiple myeloma and lymphoma.

Bone Cancer Treatments

Our doctors only use what makes sense based on your precise diagnosis and personal history. The list of treatments includes:

• Bone lesion biopsies
• Bone grafts
• Chemotherapy
• Custom prosthetic implants
• Limb Salvage Surgery
• Radiation Oncology
• Surgery (Resection)

Why Come to Nebraska Medicine for Bone Cancer Treatment

Multiple Doctors Study Your Case

Treatment for bone tumors are discussed in a weekly tumor board meeting, to get input and expertise from a multitude of cancer specialists. This is our way of ensuring multiple doctors collectively decide what treatment is best for you. 

You're Seen by the Field's Leading Experts

You'll be seen by the same doctors who also author the guidelines for treating cancer other doctors throughout the country rely on.

Orthopaedic Specialists to Treat Bone Lesions

A common symptom of some types of cancer is bone pain, caused by bone lesions. Our bone specialists help properly diagnose and treat these.

We're with You Throughout the Ordeal

Surgeries for bone cancer are particularly complex, involving removing the tumor and replacing the bone with metal replacements and donated bone. This is sometimes by followed another six to eight months of chemotherapy. Patients undergoing cancer treatment at Nebraska Medicine also have access to our 24/7 Infusion Center at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, which serves as both a treatment center and 24/7 urgent-care-type facility. A rare offering in the region.

Advancements in chemotherapy as well as metal reconstructions called endoprosthetics that replace the infected bone have improved greatly over the last 10 years and are resulting in fewer complications and better outcomes for our patients.

Clinical Trials

Many of our specialists are very involved in research to find new treatments and cures for bone cancer. This affords our doctors the opportunity to take part in some of the most current clinical trials, giving you early access to the newest drugs and most cutting-edge treatment options before they become widely available. See what clinical trials are currently underway for bone diseases.

Addressing Your Personal Care Needs

Addressing a patient’s physical, educational, emotional and spiritual needs are important aspects of providing a more complete and holistic approach to care. A host of amenities and supportive services are available to help meet these needs. This includes personal care services such as wigs, wig fittings, prosthetic and bra fittings, yoga, massage therapy, skin care and make-up lessons specifically geared for people with or recovering from cancer are also provided in a private setting.

Cancer Support Services

Finding out that you have cancer can be a very emotional and difficult time. You will likely have many questions and issues to work through. We will be with you every step of the way. Nebraska Medicine offers a host of cancer support services to help you with your physical, emotional, educational and financial needs.

We're Here for you Long After Your Treatment

Our Survivorship Clinic is designed to help you deal with the emotional and physical challenges cancer can leave behind such as fear of recurrence, physical and medical long-term side effects and helping you return to a normal life again. It will also help you transition back into the care of your primary care physician.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska Blue Distinction Center+

Blue Distinction Centers and Blue Distinction Centers+ have a proven history of delivering exceptional care and results. Nebraska Medicine has received Blue Distinction in bone cancer-primary and soft tissue sarcoma patient care.