Have a question?

Our Nurse Navigators and American Cancer Society Patient Navigator are here Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm to answer your questions. Give us a call.

Request Consultation

Bone cancer is a rare condition that is characterized as a mass of abnormal cells growing inside the bone. UVM Cancer Center's comprehensive approach to treating bone cancer is rooted in our ability to work together as a team to obtain an accurate diagnosis and come up with the best, most innovative treatment option for each individual.

Bone Cancer Care at UVM Medical Center

Our team of expert oncologists, hematologists, surgeons, and nurses work together under one roof to provide you with the best care. We want you to understand the entire process from diagnosis to treatment and be as involved as you'd like.

  • Personalized Treatment Options. We understand that every patient is unique and focus on personalized, patient-centered care. You and your family are part of the conversation every step of the way, from diagnosis to treatment.
  • Experience and Trust. Our team of oncologists, surgeons, hematologists, and nurses are the best in their field. Each UVM Cancer Center staff physician is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and has undergone specialty training in both adult and pediatric oncology.
  • The Cutting Edge Of Cancer Treatment. Our doctors are also University of Vermont College of Medicine faculty members, which means they are frequently involved in cancer research and teaching residents. We're always on the cutting edge of treatment options and are constantly working to find better treatment methods.

Bone Cancer Diagnosis

Our physicians work with you to come to a complete and accurate bone cancer diagnosis using a variety of common procedures, starting with the least invasive. Common diagnostic procedures for bone cancer include:

  • Obtaining medical history from primary care physicians and past specialists.
  • A comprehensive physical exam.
  • Various imaging tests, including:
  • A bone biopsy. A specialist will remove a sample of bone tissue for analysis in a laboratory.
  • A needle biopsy. There are two different types of needle biopsies we may use:
    • Fine-needle aspiration. We remove the tissue using a thin needle.
    • Core biopsy. We remove the tissue using a wide needle.
  • A surgical biopsy. There are two different types of surgical biopsies we may use:
    • Excisional biopsy is the removal of an entire lump of sample tissue.
    • Incisional biopsy is the removal of a part of the lump of sample tissue.

Bone Cancer Treatments

Our team of oncologists work with you to provide the best treatment for your bone cancer, taking into consideration your overall health and preferences. Other factors for treatment type include the type of bone cancer, its size and location, and the stage (severity) of the cancer.

Typical bone cancer treatments include:

  • Chemotherapy. This common treatment option treats bone cancer by destroying cancer cells using different types of medication, depending on the type of cancer.
  • Surgery. Our surgical oncologists remove the the cancerous cells and healthy cells around it to make sure there are no tumors remaining.
  • Radiation Therapy. Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays and protons, to destroy cancer cells.

Related Conditions

There are several conditions related to bone cancer that can increase your risk of developing it, including:

  • Rare inherited genetic conditions, including Li-Fraumeni syndrome and Hereditary retinoblastoma. These genetic disorders are passed through families and can increase your risk of developing bone and other cancers.
  • Paget's disease of the bone. Paget's disease is a condition that typically affects adults and is characterized by the inability of your cells to replace old bone tissue with new bone tissue.
  • Radiation exposure. Bone cancer can be caused by previous exposure to large doses of radiation, which is often given to treat other cancers.

View Our Locations

 

Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Center

 (802) 847-5819

192 Tilley Drive
South Burlington, VT 05403-4440

Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

 

Exterior photo of the UVM Medical Center entrance.

Breast Care Center

 (802) 847-2941

111 Colchester Avenue
Main Campus, Main Pavilion, Level 2
Burlington, VT 05401-1473

Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

For Medical Professionals - Bone Cancer

Here at the University of Vermont Cancer Center, we work to use our knowledge and cutting edge research to provide the best—and most innovative—care for our cancer patients. We are always running clinical trials to better understand and treat a range of different cancers.

Our expert team of Nurse Navigators and American Cancer Society Patient Navigators are here to answer any questions you may have, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm. You can call them at 802-847-8400.

How to Refer a Patient

Call: 888-362-3242
Fax: 802-847-2001
ReferralCenteratuvmhealth [dot] org (ReferralCenter[at]uvmhealth[dot]org)

Referral Resources

Christopher J. Anker, MD
Radiation Oncology
      	        
	  	  Farrah B. Khan, MD
Farrah B. Khan, MD
Medical Oncology
Jennifer W. Lisle, MD
Orthopaedic Surgery
Hibba tul Rehman, MD
Hematology
Medical Oncology

COVID-19 FAQs

Get the latest information on the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine for people with cancer.

Learn more >