Bone & Soft Tissue Cancer Program

Overview
Doctors & Specialists

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Our Cancer Center information specialists are available Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm to answer your questions. Give us a call.

877-540-HOPE

The University of Vermont Cancer Center Bone and Soft Tissue Cancer Program has the only orthopedic oncologist in Vermont. We designed our program to include services tailored to both adult patients and children. We specialize in limb-sparing treatments and reconstructive surgery, so our personalized treatment plans preserve as much healthy bone and tissue as possible.

Bone and Soft Tissue Cancer in Burlington, VT

We treat a wide range of bone and soft tissue cancers in both adults and children. Our team provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment options for the following cancers:

Primary bone cancer
Soft tissue sarcoma cancer
Multiple myeloma
Lymphomas of bone
Bone cancers related to breast, prostate and lung cancer

Bone and Soft Tissue Cancer Care: The the UVM Medical Center Approach

At the UVM Medical Center, we know that if you or your child has cancer, you want the best treatment possible. We take the time to explain your treatment options and what to expect, so you can trust that your care is in expert hands.

We offer care that is:

Advanced. We offer some of the most sophisticated limb-sparing treatment options available today to preserve healthy tissue and bone and help our patients avoid amputation.
Collaborative. We work closely with specialists in many areas, including radiation oncology, surgical pathology and musculoskeletal radiology – all of whom are conveniently located at our Vermont Cancer Center.
Expert. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeon is fellowship trained in orthopedic oncology and pediatric oncology.
Personalized. We base your treatment plan on your specific diagnosis and biopsy results. We also have a sarcoma tumor board, which reviews all patients to make sure you receive the most comprehensive care possible.

Limb-Sparing Treatments

Just a few decades ago, many patients with bone or soft tissue sarcoma in their arms and legs underwent amputation (surgery to remove a limb). At the UVM Medical Center, our program uses the latest techniques to spare as much healthy tissue and bone as possible. Our combination of limb sparing surgery with reconstruction is considered the gold standard treatment today for sarcoma.

Our treatments include:

Limb sparing surgery: Advanced procedure that removes your tumor and a section of tissue around it
Bone and joint reconstruction: Replaces bones damaged by cancer with artificial joints designed just for you
Radiofrequency ablation: Uses a probe inserted through a small incision to deliver an electrical current to your tumor and destroy it

In some cases, patients will still require amputation – either because cancer returns or spreads too far to preserve the limb. We recommend amputation only when medically necessary.

Pediatric Services for Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma

We partner with the UVM Children's Hospital to provide comprehensive care for our youngest patients. We believe that the best care involves a team of specialists with expertise in each area of your child's treatment plan.

Our expert sarcoma tumor board – a team of specialists – evaluates each child's case to help us develop a thorough treatment plan tailored to your child
Pediatric patients requiring chemotherapy or radiation therapy see specialists at Vermont Children's Hospital
Our orthopedic surgeon – who has expertise in orthopedic and pediatric oncology – performs surgery and reconstruction, if necessary

Families receive full support from our dedicated social workers at Vermont Children's Hospital, as well as access to overnight accommodations through the Ronald McDonald House in Burlington.